Rt. Hon. Daniel Effiong Asuquo, the serving House of Reps member for Akamkpa/Biase Federal Constituency recently in concluded the payment of support to the teaching and non-teaching staff of his constituency, Akamkpa/Biase in Federal and State Universities affected by the prolonged ASUU strike that was recently suspended.
The payment according to the lawmaker was to help cushion the effect of the prolonged non-payment of salaries and others. “I am saddened by the prolonged delay in addressing the issues between the Federal Government and ASUU, as lawmakers we have made several attempts to step into the issues as it affects us all when all the mechanism of engagement between the executive arm and ASUU was failing. The success story shared today is as a result of our efforts but this is not a moment to take glory because the issue should not have called for any debate in the first place, but unnecessary bureaucracies made a mess of the entire process”.
“I won’t pretend but tell you the truth that what played out with the back-and-forth negotiation between Government and ASUU scored us very low educationally as a nation. It didn’t show commitment nor did it demonstrate a deep-seated understanding of the importance we should give to our educational system. Just as we are praying for better leadership, we should be involved in policy composition and also be driving these policies to better our lots. Many of us fail to ask the question, what kind of country am I leaving for my children? We all should know better that we cannot continue like this”.
According to the lawmaker who is seeking reelection though aspiring for a higher office as the senator representing the Cross River Southern Senatorial District in the Labour Party. ” Whatever relief that I have given to the teaching and non-teaching staff who are my constituents, I am not doing this because I want them to reward me, but I want them to extend this gesture to others they will meet in their journey in life. What has gotten to them is so little but I believe it can help light a candle, so they should extend that love.
He charged them to be steadfast and committed to their duties so as to leave a legacy they will be remembered for. “I heard about the ones that have passed on at the University of Calabar. A life cut short in service to your fatherland in the struggle to make the nation great. My prayers are with their families, Amen.
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