FG not ready for quick end to strike, ASUU alleges

The leadership of Academic Staff Union of Universities has asked Nigerians to hold the Federal Government responsible for the prolonged strike while also urging them to bear with the Union, noting, “ASUU is doing their battle”.

President of ASUU, Professor Biodun Ogunyemi, in a statement Monday morning, explained that the Union has shifted position on some key expects of the demands to facilitate quick resolution of the crisis wondering why government has continued to prevaricate.

He said even though steady progress has been made on some of the issues, what has stalled meaningful dialogue was government’s insistence that payment of the withheld salaries and other entitlements of the lecturers would only be effected through the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).

He demanded unconditional payment of the outstanding salaries and release of the Union check-off dues, which he accused Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF) of illegally seizing all the deducted Union check-off dues in the last nine months.

While maintaining that it was government that is prolonging the matter, Ogunyemi said: “In closing the meeting between the leadership of ASUU and the Federal Government team last Wednesday, 4th November, 2020, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Sen. Chris Ngige, promised to send to the Union government’s written position on ASUU’s response to their initial offer.