The continued crisis in the State owned Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) may have assumed a freightening dimension, with the visitor of the University, and the governor of Rivers State Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi asking the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to go to blazes.
Amaechi who spoke on a radio program said it was not the business of lecturers or ASUU members to determine who manages the university. The governor who was visibly angry also challenged ASUU to go to court if it is not satisfied with the appointment of Prof. Barineme Fakae as the Acting Vice Chancellor of RSUST.
The governor was even quoted to have directed the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, to immediately write a letter to Fakae confirming his appointment as the substantive VC of the University.
The Newswriter investigation on the RSUST crisis revealed that the lecturers are divided on the matter. Infact we gathered that while some lecturers are on strike over the matter, others have resumed classes ASUU national had last week embarked on what it called a one-day solidarity strike to protest Fakae’s re-appointment.
The situation degenerated when ASUU, RSUST chapter was prevented from holding its congress at the heat of the crisis. We were reliably told that members of ASUU were given the beating of their lives by thugs believed to have been sponsored by the university management.
Infact the chairman of ASUU, RSUST, Dr. Felix Igwe is yet to recover from the injuries he sustained during the botched meeting
Mr. Desmond Wosu, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of RSUST has continuously exonerated the university management from the dastardly act.
Igwe, the ASUU chairman had pointed accusing fingers on Prof. Fakae and his management team insisting that until Fakae is removed as the Acting Vice Chancellor of RSUST, normal academic activities will not resume.
Meanwhile management has fixed the 17th of September as the date for the commencement of the second semester examination of the school. #####
Barth Ndu
