The leadership of Academic Staff Union of Universities, Prof Biodun Ogunyemi, says the leadership of the union is still consulting its members on the Federal Government’s offer. Ogunyemi in a message to Sunday Punch said the outcome of the consultations would determine what ASUU would be presenting to the government’s team during their next meeting within the week.
“All I can say for now is that we’re still consulting on the latest offer by the government. We hope to get back to them in the coming week.”
He lamented that the Government was yet to show enough commitment to warrant calling off the strike. He was however hopeful that a resolution would be reached when ASUU and the FG would be meeting during the week.
Ogunyemi disclosed that progress had been made in two areas although the government was yet to convince the Union regarding the issue of infrastructure revitalization fund amounting to N220bn.
“Progress has been made on the issue of earned allowance but we need to meet our members on how the FG wants to pay the balance. We have agreed on the FG’s proposal to pay in instalments but we have to also agree on how much will be paid per installment.
“Revitalisation is a major issue in the discussion. We have given our proposal that the remaining N200bn should be paid four times at N50bn per tranche. That is what we are yet to agree on as it concerns revitalisation. We hope the government will have a rethink on this before the middle of next week so that we can meet again and sort out the grey areas.
"I cannot determine when the strike will end. If government comes up with a proposal that is agreeable to our people, it will be easier for us to tell our people that the government has tried its best.”