By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
The Federal Government says its officials will on Monday meet with representatives of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and other relevant stakeholders to iron out issues of interest to all parties.
ASUU, few days ago, issued a 21-day notice of strike to the Federal Government over several unresolved issues, notably, emergency revitalisation fund of public universities; payment of outstanding earned academic allowances; and release of withheld salaries, promotion arrears, and third-party deductions of our members.
The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, who disclosed this at a press briefing in Abuja on Friday to mark his one year in office said that letters of invitation have been sent to the ASUU officials and several other organizations that would be relevant in the meeting.
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.”
Mamman insisted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is committed to academic stability in the schools, and would not hold back any support that would ensure that the era of academic disruption in the tertiary institutions are over.
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“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 added.
He, therefore 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.
