ASUU Strike Will Be Resolved Soon, Ngige Assures Nigerians

ASUU Strike Will Be Resolved Soon, Ngige Assures Nigerians

The minister of Labour and Employment Chris Ngige has stated that his Federal Government has been meeting with the Academic Union of Universities (ASUU) to discuss the ongoing strike. The minister also promised Nigerians that the disagreement between lecturers and the university will be settled soon.

 

Ngige made this statement on Wednesday, while briefing journalists following his participation in the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held at the State House in Abuja.

According to him and contrary to reports that suggested that the government did not engage with ASUU There have been several meetings between all parties and the next meeting is scheduled for Thursday to solve the dispute.

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“As the issue is bordered on money, remunerations, welfare, we did another conciliation meeting inviting the ministry of finance, budget office of the federation, National Salaries, Incomes, and Wages Commission and again, with their employers on the 1st of March,” Ngige said.

“After that, it was evident that two things were still in the air about the revoking their welfare program according to the 2009 agreement the agreement states that you can review it every five years the issue stood out like an itch.

“Then an additional issue was raised in the agreement: the payment platform for universities transparency and accountability, that they claim they created. They stated that they didn’t wish to be part of IPPIS and they said that IPPIS was removing their salary and removing certain allowances. This means they believe it’s not taking into account their unique needs.

“So we are now required to get them back to these locations and establish committees along with them. The education department has taken them on the issue of the agreement of 2009 that was a renegotiation of their conditions of service the remuneration allowances, and emolument. Thus, salaries, income, and wages, as well as the minister of finance who generate the money are all involved. Thus, they went back.”

He also dismissed the notion regarding there is a possibility that the Federal Government has a different payment table for trade unions within Tertiary institutions. Ngige said it could be difficult to increase the payment table since other unions, not just in the health sector could be kicked out.

The minister said that while the Government does not fear managing issues, it needs to do so within the limits of its resources.

In addition, Labour Minister stated that the 13-year-old ASUU issue relating to an agreement to negotiate in 2009 and payments platform issues are currently being changed and solved before the end of the administration currently in place.

Ngige’s comment is the latest statement by his government Federal Government since the face-off with university lecturers who were on strike on February 14.

Teachers from public universities are seeking a better funding arrangement for the institution owned by the government, as well as the introduction of their University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) payment platform, among other options.

Many sessions between Federal Government and the union in the past few months have not produced any results. Students across the nation had previously protested against the ongoing industrial strike in Nigeria, pledging to close important roads across Nigeria.