Raphael Ede, Enugu
Workers of Federal research institutions, on Tuesday, protested against government’s neglect of research institutions in the country.
The workers who marched, in Enugu, asked the government to review the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) Act with a view to including research institutions as participants in accessing the fund.
The workers who protested under Joint Research and Allied Institutions Sector Unions, which included the Academic Staff Union of Research Institutions, Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, Senior Staff Association of Universities, Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions and the Academic Staff Union of Research Institutions, described poor funding of research institutions in the country as the cause of retrogression in the nation’s economy.
Research institutes’ workers who have been on strike since November 2017, vowed to continue the ongoing industrial action until the Federal Government addresses the issues raised by them, which are major challenges to research institutions in the country.
They argued that since TETFund was for research and development of infrastructure at institutions, it would be illogical to exclude research institutions from the fund.
Deputy President/Chairman, Research and Projects Trade Group Council, Wakili Tijani, who spoke to newsmen shortly after the protest, said that the aggrieved workers would not go back on their demands until they are met.
“Council resolved that the strike must continue; it must be total and comprehensive as no concession of any sort shall be granted to managements and government until outstanding issues are positively addressed,” he said.
Tijani and the other leaders of the group disclosed that some of their problems included; the immediate release of research institutes’ conditions of service, payment of hazard allowance, payment of peculiar allowance, payment of 12 months arrears, and end to disparities between salaries of technical staff and administrative staff, among others.
In an interview, Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Research Institutions, Project Development Agency, Enugu State chapter, Teddy Udeinya, told journalists that the Federal Government has not really encouraged research in the country.
According to Udeinya,, “Nigeria would not make progress if the government refuses to fund research and development.
“You cannot conduct research without money, one of the major problems in the country is poor funding of research institutions. We don’t have enough tools and equipment for research. There is also need for improved remuneration for staff of research institutes.
“The federal government cannot continue talking of economic diversification without research but at the moment the research institutes are all neglected.
“It seems the country is retrogressing in the area of research and development. We are not going back to work until the federal government listens to us,” he added.
Udeinya also called for the review of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund Act, insisting that the inclusion of research institutions among the beneficiaries is primary to enhanced research and development in the country.