ASUU says FG has addressed only 2 of its 8 demands, insists on strike
The Academic Staff Union of Universities has refute the claim by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, that about 98 per cent of the demands by the lecturers have been met.
In a statement on Thursday, the Ibadan zone of the union said the Federal Government had met only two of eight demands contained on December 22, 2020, Memorandum of Action since the last nine months.
The statement, which was issued after the union’s meeting at the Ladoke Akintola University, Ogbomoso chaired by its Coordinator in LAUTECH, Prof. Oyebamiji Oyegoke.
ASUU expressed displeasure the government withheld salaries for months, failed to release EAA and check-off dues accruing to the union.
On IPPIS versus UTAS, he explained that withholding salaries for months, non-release of EAA, non- payment of check-off dues accruing to the union, in spite of what ASUU has demonstrated, could only be an invitation to another possible cycle of industrial crisis.
“Moreover, UTAS avowed suitability has been demonstrated admirably to the Minister of Education and members of his team, the Honourable Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“And other key stakeholders like Ministries of Labour and Employment; Education, Finance, Office of the Accountant-General, representatives of Nigeria Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA).
“The more the government insists on fulfilling the demands of integrity test on UTAS, the longer will be the accompanying pains earlier identified in IPPIS will stay our members,” he said.
On IPPIS versus UTAS, he explained that withholding salaries for months, non-release of EAA, non- payment of check-off dues accruing to the union, in spite of what ASUU has demonstrated, could only be an invitation to another possible cycle of industrial crisis.
“Moreover, UTAS avowed suitability has been demonstrated admirably to the Minister of Education and members of his team, the Honourable Senate President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The more the government insists on fulfilling the demands of integrity test on UTAS, the longer will be the accompanying pains earlier identified in IPPIS will stay our members,” he said.
Oyegoke said in the statement that strike was “a ticking bomb” and fear that the educational system would be engulfed in another crisis.
Source: News Agency Of Nigeria, Punch Newspaper
