Molwus attributed the rise in poverty among Nigerians to several measures implemented by the government, mainly the elimination of gasoline subsidies.
The University of Jos chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has urged the federal government to address the nation’s growing security threats and economic hardships.
At a press conference on Friday in Jos, Assoc. Prof. Jurbe Molwus, the union’s leader, stated as much.
Molwus attributed the rise in poverty among Nigerians to several measures implemented by the government, mainly the elimination of gasoline subsidies.
”The famous subsidy removal and the floating exchange rate have translated into hyper-inflation, noticeable in higher commodity pricing, among others.
”The quality of life of ordinary Nigerians has declined, and the gap between the haves and the have-nots is expanding on a daily basis,” he said.
The chairman called on the federal government to accelerate the process of arriving at a minimum wage as demanded by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
He advised the government to urgently review all economic policies that are increasingly degrading the quality of life in Nigeria.
Molwus called on the federal government to implement all agreements reached with ASUU over the years before the expiration of the 14-day ultimatum issued by its National Executive Council.
He said that failure to implement the agreements within the stipulated time may result in a full blown industrial action by the union.
NAN
