By Nkechi Njoku
There is no basis for the Abia State College of Education (Technical), Arochukwu staff to contemplate any industrial action since the government was diligently addressing their welfare.
Dr. Phillips Nto, Provost of the intitution, made this declaration at a meeting he held with Deans and Directors of the college frowning at a situation where the academic staff union would advocate any strike just one week after the national body called off its own strike.
He also warned that the management would strictly enforce the no-work-no-pay rule should any staff embark on any strike against the directive of the institution.
Dr. Nto said it was also unpatriotic for the local academic union to incite staff to down tools when Governor Okezie Victor Ikpeazu had been magnanimously attending to the welfare of the staff.
The Provost noted that it was also disrespectful to talk of strike when the governor had personally met with the staff and commenced the implementation of the agreement he had with them.
“Submitted he: The governor met with the leadership of the union and they reached an agreement part of which was the payment of one year salaries which they have received. Other issues including accreditation are receiving the attention of the government”.
Dr. Nto expressed disappointment that the union was talking about strike when they should be making a concerted effort to attract and sustain a reasonable student population.
He directed the deans and directors to commence and monitor lectures immediately and also ensure they maintained daily attendance register.
The Provost announced that any Lecturer who absented himself from work would not receive any salaries even as recalcitrant staff risk outright dismissal.
Dr. Nto regretted that the union leadership had been infiltrated by disgruntled opposition politicians who want to use it to embarrass the government, warning the lecturers against using the classrooms as platforms for partisan politics, as those found culpable would also be dismissed from the services of the college.
He called on all the staff to take their jobs seriously, promising that management would continue to do its best to address their welfare.
