The Benue State Government and the Academic Staff Union of Tertiary Institutions of Benue State (ASUTIBS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the implementation of the approved 25/35 salary structure for academic staff of polytechnics and colleges of education in the state.
Under the agreement, the government committed to fully implementing the new salary structure and paying outstanding arrears owed to affected lecturers.
The MoU was signed on behalf of the government by the Acting Head of Service, Dr. Ihu, alongside the Commissioners for Finance and Education, while ASUTIBS was represented by its Chairman, Dr. Ate Agera, and Secretary, Dr. Doochen Imotyoo.
Speaking after the signing, both sides commended the cordial relationship between the government and organised labour and called for an end to the ongoing industrial action to allow academic activities to resume in the affected institutions.
Agera commended Governor Hyacinth Alia for his attention to the welfare of academic staff and expressed appreciation to the government’s negotiating team for its commitment and constructive engagement.
He said he would meet with the union’s congress as soon as possible to deliberate on the agreement and work towards calling off the strike.
Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to dialogue and industrial harmony in the interest of the academic community and the development of tertiary education in Benue State.
