Teachers, parents disagree over strike
SURE-P workers sacked over APC –Saraki
Teachers of public primary and secondary schools in Ogun State yesterday embarked on a strike.
But the state chapter of the ParentTeacher Association (PTA) said the strike was uncalled for in view of the present economic situation in the country.
Members of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) and Academic Staff Union of Secondary School (ASUSS) embarked on the strike over what they Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State, Senator Bukola Saraki, has said that disengaged participants of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) would be paid this week.
Saraki alleged that some of the participants of the public work programme of SURE-P were sacked because of their allegiance to the APC.
The ruling APC and the opposition Peoples Democratic called the inability of the government to meet their demands.
They also frowned upon the governor’s dispatch of his officials to meet with them instead of meeting with them personally. Addressing a joint press conference in Abeokuta, the NUT and ASUSS leaders said “the governor refused to pay the 27.5 per cent salary which he promised last year October. We are also being owed allowances.”
Chairman of ASUSS in the state, Akeem Lasisi, said the governor was scheduled Party (PDP) in the state have continually clashed over management of the scheme in the state.
Coordinators of the scheme, Alhaji Abdulganiyu Olododo and Alhaji Kola Yusuf representing Kwara Central and South respectively had accused the state coordinator, Barrister Moses Ibeyemi, of running the scheme as a PDP affair. Ibiyemi dismissed the accusation as baseless and unfounded.
Speaking at an APC rally in Oyun Local Government Area of the state, Saraki said: “The SURE-P participants who to meet with leaders of the unions on Saturday January 17, but that he sent some government officials instead.
The state PTA chairman, Pastor Peculiar Aboluwaji Treasure, in a chat with newsmen, condemned the strike, urging teachers to be more understanding.
“It is just unfair. Look at the situation around the country today, even some states are owing 12 months salaries. I cannot understand this step by our teachers over allowance payment. Parents in Ogun State are not happy about this development and were sacked, I want to assure you that we will pay them once we complete our verification exercise.”
The former governor lamented that the federal government had subjected people of the state to hardship through some of its actions, urging the people to vote massively for APC at all levels.
He expressed optimism that the APC presidential candidate, General Muhamamdu Buhari and Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed would correct “the misdeeds of Jonathan’s administration.”
He accused the president of tolerating corruption in his we are appealing that they should please go back and let us continue to dialogue,” he said.
Treasure debunked the allegation that the governor shunned the teachers, adding: “A committee has been set up to tackle the matter. I was part of the committee and we went to them to discuss, but the teachers refused, saying that they only want to see the governor.”
Our correspondent who went round some of the schools observed students wandering about. government, alleging that states and local governments were being short-changed by the federal government.
He said: “Funds that should be going to states for developments are being stolen by those in Abuja and that is why we are in this situation today. The achievements we were able to record in the state while I was governor were done during the administration of late president, Umar Musa Yar’adua. For us to meet your demands, you must vote General Muhammadu Buhari as president in the coming election. He is the only one that can fix Nigeria.”