Come Out Clean On Outstanding Issues, ASUU Challenges FG, Lists Path To Ending Strike

As the lingering strike action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) continues with the attendant backlashes on the All Progressives Congress led Federal Government, the embattled union has challenged the government to tell the public concessions and issues it has resolved.

The union continued to blame the federal government for misplaced priority and insincerity in handling the impasse even as the union said it should come out clean to attend to the issues for possible resolution of the impasse.

Emmanuel Osodeke, the president of ASUU made this known during an interview with Channels Television on Tuesday, August 30.

This is coming on the heels of comments by prominent Nigerians, urging the Federal Government to address the issues rather than the present discordant tones of self appraisal by its officials.

Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party says the lingering strike is unacceptable and government must embark in collaborative engagement to ending the strike that has become almost intractable to the disadvantage of Nigerian Students.

Issa Aremu, Director General of the National Institute for Labour Studies in Kwara state has also urged both parties to go back to the negotiation table.

However, Osodeke said for the strike to be called off the federal government must have to tell the lecturers the actual amount meant for the revitalisation of Nigeria’s university system and where exactly it is lodged.He added that the federal government has to clearly explain to Nigerians and ASUU its position as regards the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS), and that the Nimi Briggs panel’s recommendations must be implemented for the union to call off the strike.

“Government should tell us and Nigerians the money that has been alleged to have been approved for revitalisation – how much is it and where is it lodged? When will it be released?

“The federal government has to clearly state its position concerning the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS), a payroll system created by ASUU as a replacement for the Integrated Payroll and Personnel information system (IPPIS).

“Thirdly, have they accepted the agreement we reached with their panel? They should come and tell us this, and not go to the press,” Osodeke said.

The leadership of ASUU frowned at the federal government’s stance of ‘no work, no pay’ accusing the government of purposefully prolonging the strike in order to frustrate the lecturers.

But Nigerians have continued to berate federal government over perceived non commitment of its officials it has been putting forward for discussions.

They wonder why this government would wait for situations to degenerate before taking actions, which in most cases are either belated or ineffective.

The Federal Government has invited pro-chancellors, vice-chancellors and chairmen of governing councils  of federal universities to a meeting in Abuja on September 6 as part of efforts to resolve the strike.

The meeting was convened by the National Universities Commission, which stated that participants would review actions of the government on the strike.

The letter  inviting the heads of the universities to the meeting was signed by the NUC’s Deputy Executive Secretary, Administration, Chris Maiyaki

ALSO READ:VP Osinbajo Challenges Government On Economy, ASUU   

This came to the fore as the strike by ASUU is entering almost 200th day amid the decision of the university lecturers declaring a total and comprehensive industrial action.

Stakeholders, particularly parents,  in different interviews with Metrobusinessnews.com (MBN) berated ASUU and the government, lamenting that the future of their children was being toyed with.

According to one of the embittered parents, “what has the Federal Government been waiting for and why wait for this long before summoning this meeting?.Something, somewhere is fundamentally wrong! .“