We don’t have N50bn, Labour minister tells ASUU

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige declared on Friday that the Federal Government does not have N50 billion to give to the Academic Staff Union of Universities, saying that the government “cannot do N50 billion.”

Speaking after what the minister described as a “protracted” meeting between the Federal Government team and the leadership of ASUU, in Abuja, the minister told the varsity teachers emphatically that the government cannot afford N50 billion but have instead offered something reasonable.

While admitting that the meeting was protracted, Dr Ngige said all the grey areas have been addressed and that they have gotten to the end of the tunnel; assuring that the strike would soon be called off.

The minister, while speaking with journalists immediately after the meeting said: “The meeting was protracted but the good news is that we have gotten to the end of the tunnel.”

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On the amount which has been agreed on and the grey areas, he said, “we meet them halfway. We have finished the grey areas; and on the issue of N50 billion, we have offered what we have. We do not have N50 billion and we can not do N50 billion but has offered something reasonable. So they have taken it back to go and present to their members.”

Asked if there is any hope for the students to resume school soon, Ngige added, “very very, the hope is very high now, by Thursday, we will know.”

The ASUU President, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi said the meeting had been adjourned, but added that he cannot say anything on their resolution until he briefed his members.

“On the progress made, I can not tell you that now until I tell my members,  It is the feedback we came for today but we have set of information for our members; and until we tell our members we can not tell you.”

Asked about the N50 billion being demanded by ASUU, the offer made by the government and students resumption, Prof. Ogunyemi also said: “Until we meet our members, we can not give any information. That is why I said we are making progress and the progress we are making is for everybody interest, and stakeholders will benefit at the end of the day.

“We will be meeting on Thursday we will address the press. We have trashed all areas, so the progress we have made must first be related to our members. Until we tell them and they tell us what to do; that is only when we can relate to the press. The meeting is adjourned till Thursday.”