Wike dismisses UniAbuja strike risk, asks ‘what’s ASUU’s enterprise with land?’

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, Thursday dismissed the strike risk issued by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Abuja (UniAbuja) chapter, over the administration’s reallocation of parts of the establishment’s land to personal builders and authorities companies.

Reacting throughout a his month-to-month media chat in Port Harcourt City, following threats by the  union to embark on industrial motion, Wike questioned ASUU’s locus standi on statutory land allocation issues, asserting that commerce unions haven’t any mandate or authority over land administration within the nation’s capital.

Wike rejected the union’s claims of land grabbing, arguing that land possession and grasp plan enforcement fall strictly below the jurisdiction of the FCT Administration (FCTA).

 “What is the business of ASUU on our land? How is ASUU the owner of land? Is ASUU the owner of the union in Nigeria now? Is it the union’s right?” Wike questioned.

Addressing the dispute over the college’s expanse of land which reportedly spans over 11,000 hectares, the minister questioned the practicality of a single college holding onto huge tracts of undeveloped land whereas blocking capital improvement.

He acknowledged that the FCTA’s actions signify a lawful continuum of presidency coverage and concrete planning.

Referencing ASUU’s declaration that it might go on strike and problem the FCTA’s choice in court docket, Wike acknowledged that the administration stays unfazed by threats of authorized motion or industrial paralysis.

 Wike added that if the union chooses to hunt judicial redress, the FCTA is totally ready to defend its constitutional rights and statutory duties.

The minister chided the union management for utilizing strike threats as leverage, urging them to respect public service procedures and chorus from blackmailing the administration.

Wike reaffirmed that authorities’s selections relating to unused land restoration would proceed, noting that federal establishments can’t arbitrarily fence off 1000’s of hectares with out correct documentation, approvals and utilisation.