The National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) has cautioned the Federal Government not to be confrontational with the organised labour over agitations on fuel subsidy removal, increase in electricity tariff, full implementation of the 2009 FGN/NAAT/NASU/SSANU agreement, general funding of universities and other labour demands.
Speaking at the 2nd National Delegate Conference of NAAT held at the Kogi State University, Ayangba, Kogi State, the immediate past President of NAAT, Comrade Abdulateef Jokomba, gave the warning before he handed over the leadership of NAAT to Comrade Sani Suleiman, who emerged the new president after the delegates’ conference.
Comrade Suleiman, who was the former General Secretary of the association emerged the new president after a keenly contested election.
However, before stepping down as the president of the association, Jokomba said the government must do everything to avoid confrontation with labour, warning that the reform policies and programmes of President Goodluck Jonathan’s Transformation Agenda cannot be achieved without the contributions of labour.
Speaking on the theme of conference, ‘Democracy, Technological Development and Good Governance in Nigeria – Which Way Forward’, Jokomba said: “The core strategy and structures of our nation’s reform policies and programmes as put in place by President Goodluck Jonathan in his Transformation Agenda that aim at improving the welfare and well-being of the generality of Nigerians cannot be achieved without the contribution of the labour movement as labour create wealth.
“Government must endeavour to avoid anything that may result in confrontation with the organised labour by having listening ears to the agitation of workers, especially on such issues as removal of fuel subsidy and increase in the tariff of electricity, full implementation of 2009 FGN/NAAT/NASU/SSANU agreement, especially the 65 years retirement age, funding of earned allowances and career structure CONTISS 14 and 15 for academic technologists and general funding of our universities.
He demanded 26 per cent annual budgetary allocation to education in line with the commendations of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) for the country to develop educationally.
Jokomba stated that the development of any nation was dependent on the literacy level of the people, but regretted that, in Nigeria, the leaders only pay lip service to the issue of education.
Apart from Comrade Suleiman, other newly elected officers of NAAT include: Comrade Musa Bawa Allah, Vice President; Comrade Iyoyo H. D.E., General Secretary; Comrade Ali Moh’d Algoni, Asst. General Secretary; Comrade Comfort Oko, National Treasurer; Comrade Atanu Samuel, National Finance Secretary and Comrade A. Austin, National Public Relations Officer.