The Katsina House of Assembly has given the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) chapter of the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University (UMYU) three weeks’ ultimatum to return to work.

The ultimatum began on September 5.

The chairman of the house committee on higher education, and member representing the Danja constituency, Shamsudeen Dabai, disclosed this on Wednesday.

According to him, the assembly threatened to compel Governor Aminu Masari’s government to stop the lecturers’ salaries if they failed to resume work at the end of the three weeks.

He explained that the assembly took the decision following a report presented by the committee during its plenary.

“We had a series of discussions with the UMYU chapter of the ASUU, their zonal and the national leadership on this issue. After the meetings, we presented our report before the assembly, where some of our suggestions were agreed on, and some were not approved,” said Mr Dabai.

He added, “One of what the assembly agreed on was the three weeks’ ultimatum to resume work or their salaries should be stopped by the government or something similar to that. During our meeting with the ASUU and the special adviser to Governor Aminu Masari on higher education, Alhaji Bashir Ruwangodiya, they presented their complaints.”

The lawmaker added, “Therefore, we agreed that they should write their complaints to the state government, and the government will look at it within two weeks.”

He explained that the prolonged ASUU strike was causing a setback to the education sector.

“When the students are going to school, it keeps them busy and also keeps them away from negative thinking. Like you know, an idle mind is a devil’s workshop,” Mr Dabai. 

(NAN)