President, SSURDAIN, Mr. Emman Uzoalu
James Sowole
Like their counterparts in the universities and other tertiary institutions, the Federal Government has agreed to implement the 65 years retirement age for workers in research, development and associated institutions in the country.
President of the Senior Staff Union of Research, Development and Associated Institutions of Nigeria (SSURDAIN), Mr. Emman Uzoalu, disclosed this in his address at the meeting of National Administrative Council of the union, where he reported the agreement reached between the union and government representatives.
The meeting was hosted by the National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA) branch of the union within the institute’s premises.
Uzoalu said the workers in research institutions have also demanded that the Federal Government should establish a National Research Institute Commission (NARICOM) to oversee the activities of research institutes in the country.
He said the decision was part of the deal sealed with the government before the August 30 suspension of the strike embarked upon by all workers under the umbrella of SSURDAIN.
The president said the strike was suspended for six weeks to enable government show concrete evidence of implementation of the demands of workers in research institutions.
He therefore called on the federal government to expedite action on the implementation of the demands of the workers of research, development and allied institutions to enable such workers key into the transformation agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration.
Uzoalu said SSURDAIN has fulfilled the relevant sections of the Trade Unions Act, which allows it to engage in union activities under the Constitution and to fight for welfare of its members.
On the state of the nation, the SSURDAIN president said societal vices such as armed robbery, kidnapping, bombing, prostitution, ritual killings are rising "because government at the three levels have intentionally neglected the social contract they entered into with Nigerians."
Uzoalu hailed President Jonathan for staying action on the restructuring of the nation’s currency, particularly the printing of N5,000 note, and said the restructuring of the naira would have worsened the plight of the masses.
He said the impoverishment of Nigerians by government through policies and programmes that enrich leaders at the expense of the masses should stop.
Welcoming delegates to the meeting, the NIEPA Branch Chairman of SSURDAIN, Mr. Olaolu Festus, highlighted some achievements of the union at NIEPA and some of its challenges.
Festus said the union leadership would not rest on its oars to ensure that workers’ welfare is ensured.