ASUU’s demands are historical — FG

THE Federal Government has disclosed that the demands made by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is historical.

Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman made this known on Friday in Abuja while briefing on some of the key achievements of his Ministry in the last one year.

TRIBUNE ONLINE reports that the Federal Government has scheduled a meeting with ASUU on Monday, following the 21-day strike notice issued by the union over the government’s failure to implement several agreements, including the renegotiation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU agreement.

Some of the issues in dispute includes revitalisation fund for public universities, payment of outstanding earned academic allowances, and release of withheld salaries, promotion arrears, and third-party deductions of ASUU members.

Other issues include stoppage of illegal recruitments; proliferation of public universities/abuse of universities’ laws, regulations and processes; and removal of universities from the treasury single account and new IPPIS vis-a-vis to herald the autonomy of our universities.

Mamman informed newsmen that letters of invitation have been sent to the ASUU officials and several other organizations that would be relevant in the meeting

According to him, most of the demands of ASUU are historical dating back as far as 1981, hence the need to sit down dialogue.

He said, “Most the issues raised by ASUU are being attended to. For instance, the issue of exit from the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) has since been resolved by the President. Bureaucracy is the reason for delay in the implementation of that directive.

But by the time we meet on Monday, some of these issues would be discussed and resolved.”

He noted that President, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, is committed to academic stability in the schools, and would do everything possible to ensure that the era of academic disruption in the tertiary institutions are over.

Mamman said, “Most of the demands ASUU started in 1981. And virtually all government has had its fair share of ASUU strike.

But the President made a commitment during the campaign that permanent solution would be provided this time, and he has shown that in his steps and actions.”

He, however, appealed to ASUU to be considerate in their actions and open-minded in their approach to the negotiation table so that interest of all parties would be properly represented.

He added that with the recent inauguration of new Governing Councils in tertiary institutions, most of the contending issues would be resolved amicably by the various councils in line with the University autonomy.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE