GOV. LALONG URGES PLASU, ASUU TO CALL OFF STRIKE

Plateau State Governor, Simon Bako Lalong has expressed displeasure as Members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Plateau State University Chapter embarks on indefinite strike.

Simon Bako Lalong has asked members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, Plateau State University Chapter to rescind its decision to embark on strike as the Government is working to address their grievances.

This was disclosed Makut Simon Macham, the Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State on the 18th January 2021.

Lalong said the University which has been closed following the COVID-19 pandemic was ready to re-open before the threat of strike by the local chapter of ASUU.Lalong has stated that his administration has invested huge sums of money to develop the University, the governor appreciated the President of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari who through Tetfund has also intervened by approving other projects to the development of the school.He challenged the University management, staff and students to do everything possible to make the environment compliant to COVID-19 protocols as the perpetual closure of the school will not augur well for the development of the State.

The Governor said:

“It is very unfortunate for people to play politics with everything including education. How can you say that the proprietor of a University has no projects in it? I was part of the founding of this institution when I was Speaker. People will remember that when I came into office, the University was shut down. We did everything possible to reopen it and today, it has blossomed and is fast growing. It is therefore very sad and untrue for this insinuation to come from people who should know better. This is nothing but pure mischief”.

Vice Chancellor of the University Prof. Yohanna D. Izam who took the Visitor round the projects appreciated the efforts of the Lalong administration in reviving the institution which he said has accredited many courses and established three new faculties with many students successfully graduating.

The governor also inspected projects ongoing in the school including the new Senate Building, Faculties of Law, Environmental Sciences, Health Sciences, Social sciences, Advancement and Linkages building, Staff offices and classrooms complex, E-Library and assorted volumes of books in the central library building, 600- capacity Lecture theatre, School of postgraduate Studies building complex, University Health Centre building and medical equipment, Street light project, Wire fencing of female hostel and PLASU Security System/ CCTV cameras project, sports complex among others.