Academic Staff Union of Universities and the federal government have reached an agreement on the N22.17 billion earned allowances and N30 billion revitalization funds.
The truce brokered by the Speaker of the House of Representatives Mr Femi Gbajabiamila yielded positive results as both the federal government delegation and the leaders of the union agreed to shift positions on the issues leading to the warning strike by the union
In his address, Mr Gbajabiamila said, the House will not sit back and watch things deteriorate as a result of disagreements between ASUU and the federal government.
The speaker observed that Nigerians cannot afford another strike and it cannot be used as a tool to be used by ASUU to push for their demands every time.
He added that, all parties must take blames for the lingering imbroglio.
Mr Gbajabiamila, however disclosed that, ASUU has been very patient while government must be committed to fulfill its part of the agreements.
The Speaker also promised that, the UTASS platform deployment will be accelerated after NITDA approval for the deployment of the software through which universities will subsequently be paid their salaries.
ASUU president, Prof.Emmanuel Osodeke stated that there were so many issues and agreements which the government have reneged on.
He said, the government had at various times failed to address the major issues like allowances, infrastructure, UTASS and others which he said always forced their members to embark on strike.
The minister of finance, budget and national planning, Zainab Ahmed explained that there were provisions for the payments and some parts of the funds are already available and that the payments will be affected in a week.
On his part, the Minister of State for Education, Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba said, all the claims by ASUU were true and the government is in the process of meeting with the demands especially the EAA and the infrastructure fund.
After the two minister’s submissions, the ASUU leadership agreed to the terms saying that, they will monitor the development pending the expiration of their strike notice.
Salisu Tsibiri
