By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Kwara state government has denied daring the Committee of Union on Tertiary Institutions (CUTI) to embark on industrial action over unpaid salaries at the tertiary institutions.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the government pointed out that at no point did the Chief of Staff, Government House, Mr Yusuf Abdulwahab, or any government official ask the workers to go on strike.
“Rather, we sought to persuade CUTI not to embark on strike on the grounds that it is unlikely to solve the salary issue which has been caused by financial challenges facing the State and others across the country,” the statement said.
The state government noted that embarking on strike by the institutions might affect their student numbers and consequently their ability to generate revenue to meet their salary obligations
The government, therefore, urged CUTI to work with their management to identify alternative sources of revenue to be able to supplement government subvention to pay salaries.
“Members of the public are thereby implored to ignore the claims by CUTI as the state government has already paid the 2017 fourth quarter allocation to the institutions and is preparing to pay the 2018 first quarter allocation.
“The government promises to continue to support the institutions to enable them meet their commitments,” it said.
Adedapo Adesanya 
Dipo Olowookere