Whether the ongoing strike by university lecturers will end soon or later will be known today as negotiators of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) meet today with the the federal government team.
Minister of Education Mallam Adamu Adamu is expected to present the government’s position on the demands by the teachers.
ASUU is demanding the release of N1.3trillion revitalization funds to the universities in line with the agreement it reached with the administration of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.
About N220billion of the N1.3trillion was approved by the last administration and disbursed to the universities.
The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari is finding it difficult to make any commitment on the balance of N1.080trillion because of the poor economic situation.
The lecturers are however adamant on the release of more of the revitalization/ intervention funds. They are also insisting on six other conditions.
These are: .That the Federal Government should immediately take over and accept payment of shortfall in salaries of universities; universities to manage their IGR the way they like and exemption from TSA; Exemption of Endowment Funds, JV cash from TSA; payment of University Salary Scale to teachers in primary schools in universities; release/implementation of guidelines for the retirement of Professors in line with 2009 FG-ASUU Agreement; and waiver/ government fiat to set up Nigerian Universities Pension Management Company (NUPEMCO).
It was learnt that Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President Ayuba Wabba is facilitating the meeting which will be coordinated by Minister of Labour and Employment Dr. Chris Ngige.
Investigation by our correspondent revealed that although the Federal Government has conceded to some demands by the lecturers, ASUU felt the peace terms were not far-reaching.
The terms acceptable to the government border on approval of payment of N23b Earned Allowances; forensic audit of N30b earlier released as Earned Allowances; exemption of Endowment Funds and Joint Ventures cash only from Treasury Single Account; issuance of the right form by PENCOM for the registration of Nigerian Universities Pension Management Company (NUPEMCO); and FG not going yet to National Industrial Court or IAP to resolve issues; allowing Wale Babalakin Committee to complete its assignment on FG-ASUU Agreement
The issues that may dominate talks today are:
Reopening of varsities while negotiation continues
FG’s take over and accept payment of shortfall in salaries of universities
Universities to manage their IGR the way they like and exemption from TSA
Payment of University Salary Scale to teachers in primary schools in universities
Release/implementation of guidelines for the retirement of Professors in line with 2009 FG-ASUU Agreement
Govt fiat to set up Nigerian Universities Pension Management Company(NUPEMCO)
Why ASUU should comply with labour laws in declaring strike action
A source said: “We want to hasten the negotiation in a cordial manner which will lead to the reopening of universities. This is why the government has not referred this matter to the National Industrial Court (NIC) or Industrial Arbitration Panel (IAP).
“The lecturers will have the opportunity of conditions acceptable to the government and those considered unrealistic like the exemption of universities from TSA.
“Except for Endowment Funds and JV cash, the government will not exempt universities from TSA. The basic aim of TSA is to check corruption in the management of scarce resources. The Ivory Tower should not be opposed to TSA at all. We won’t compromise this policy to please any group or institution.”
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