Reps wade into ASUP, COEASU, FG face-off

By Ayodele Adegbuyi
Abuja

Worried by the lingering strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP) and Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) that had paralysed academic activities, the House of Representatives has decided to wade into the disagreement with a view to finding a lasting solution.

The decision followed a motion on matters of urgent national importance moved by Hon. Raphael Nnanna Igbokwe (PDP-Imo) on the need for the leadership of the House to interface with the executive and the striking unions in order to resolve the impasse.
He said: “It is sad that the Polytechnics and Colleges of Education have been shut down for ten months, more-so that ASUP and COEASU began their agitation even before the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) embarked on their strike.

“And I remember that a platform was created by this House for its resolution, but surprisingly, nothing has been done about their agitations.”
He added that “the continuous closure of these institutions is inimical to the wellbeing of our society.”

Reacting, Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, who presided over the plenary admitted seeing protesting lecturers of the affected institutions at the entrance of the National Assembly on Tuesday and directed the Deputy Chairperson, House Committee on Education, Hon Rose

Okoh to make contact and report back to the leadership of the House on the way forward.
In her response, the Deputy Chairperson, Hon. Rose Okoh, told the House that issues surrounding the agitation had been haphazardly handled.
“Agreements reached between the federal government and the Unions were not implemented even when the Unions agreed to make concession on their demands and which they did. The government has allowed the crisis to linger.”