Workers protest against non-implementation of agreement

WORKERS of the research institute at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Ile-ife yesterday protested against the non-implementation of their agreement with the Federal Government.

The Non-academic Staff Union (NASU) at the National Centre for Technology Management (NACETEM) and the Prototype Engineering Development Institute (PEDI), carried out the protest.

The branch Chairman of Prototype Engineering Development Institute (PEDI), Ilesa, Mr. Adewale Akinboro, said the unions began their strike about 80 days ago.

He said the decision to stage a protest was taken after the Federal Government failed to consider their demands. He said: “We had a warning strike about two years ago that the Federal Government should implement the agreement we signed.

“Among the agreement then was adequate funding of research institutes, establishment of Nigerian Research Institute Commission.

“Our research is not being funded, we have had several meetings with the government.

We want the Federal Government to separate research funds from capital projects.”

The demands also include the payment of 12 months arrears.

They carried placards with various inscriptions as: “FG pay our 12 months arrears,” “FG, increase funding of research institutes,” “Implementation of 65 years retirement age and withdrawal of non-skipping c i rcu la r . ”