Cov/Usman MZ, Jigawa
Nationwide strike action embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics ASUP has halted academic activities across tertiary institutions in Jigawa state.
The ASUP Chairman, Hussain Adamu Federal Polytechnic Kazaure chapter, comrade Badaru Abdulazeez Ibrahim stated this in an interview with newsmen in Dutse.
He explained that tuesday would mark the beginning of a strike action tto ensure Polytechnics down their tools.
Comrade Badaru Abdulazeez said already most of the students have vacated schools, stressing that the decision was a last resort to press home their demands from the Federal government.
According to him, the strike is a fallout of the National Executive Council NEC meeting the union held earlier in Katsina where a nine point demand was made to the Federal government for implementation.
Comrade Badaru said part of the demand was implementation of the minimum wage for some Polytechnics, and payments of salary arrears to workers among others.
He said all attempt to negotiate on the issue proved abortive which had resulted in a referendum by the chapters to embark on strike action after the expiration of the ultimatum of April 6.
Comrade Badaru noted that about 30 tertiary institutions were joining the strike within the zone until Federal government did the needful.
The ASUP strike is coming on the heels of another action embarked by the residents doctors association across the country which has crippled activities in the state hospitals.