The Federal Government has renewed commitment as it has reached agreement with the striking university lecturers the development which signal the prolonged industrial action is almost over. Biodun Ogunyemi, the national president of the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) disclosed that the National Executive committee of the union will renew its decision considering the new commitment by the federal government according to Premium Times.
He disclosed that the strike could end after the NEC meeting, however did not say when the meeting will hold after having an extensive session.
According to Ogunyemi, some few issues require some consultation before ASUU will soon suspend the strike.
He revealed the federal government has promised to reach them as soon as possible with a written proposal to address gray areas that still require consultation. And when ASUU received that, they shall act accordingly and get back to appropriate quarters.
The outcome of the Monday meeting though was inconclusive, however, Chris Ngige, the Minister of labour disclosed that an agreement has been reached.
According to Ngige, the accountant general and the ministry of finance have confirmed with evidence that 15.4 billion has been released to public universities.
Meanwhile, on earn allowance, he added Mr, President has approved the sum of N20 billion to be used to offset the outstanding arrears of the 2009 – 2012 verified earnings in the universities.
He revealed the earn allowance will soon be released to ASUU as soon as the process is complete.
Accordingly, he added, “ASUU has fulfilled their side in time for the pension administrator to take care of pension of their staff. They earlier gave ASUU a temporary licence and ASUU has done the needful to get their licence. So, it is resolved,”
Speaking on the issue of state universities, Mr Ngige revealed an eight-member committee has been set up to meet with governors of the states affected.
He said during the Goodluck Jonathan administration, the then government entered an agreement with ASUU of funding university annually with the sum of N220 billion for the next 6 years, starting from 2009.
He assured the federal government will look for resources to meet the commitment while ASUU has been offered some money to show commitment.
