FG to ASUU: Return to classes

The face-off between the federal government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has worsened even as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim on Friday insisted that striking lecturers return to work while contending issues are resolved. Anyim who spoke with the media after his meeting with the governing councils of Universities in Abuja, blamed the lecturers for prolonging the strike saying that the Federal Government has shown enough commitment to ending the dispute. He argued that a large percentage of the demands made in the 2009 agreement, which led to the current strike has been fully met except for the earned allowances for which ASUU is demanding N92billion. The SGF’s stance follows the recent threat by ASUU to discontinue further negotiations with the Federal Government’s team over the strike. ASUU commenced its current strike on July 1 following failure of government to implement 2009 agreement on public universities. He said, “government is making every effort to revitalise the university system, by this demonstration of clear commitment to revitalise the university system, government hereby urges every staff of the nation’s universities to return to work as all issues are being resolved.” The SGF also flagged-off the disbursement of N130 billion sourced by the Gabriel Suswam led NEEDS implementation committee and the federal government for revitalizing infrastructures in Universities and the settlement of earned allowances arrears. Also speaking after the meeting, Minister of Education, Ruqayyatu Rufa’i , expressed hope that ASUU will suspend the strike going by the release of funds by government. She said: “government is ready to implement all the recommendations, particularly as it relates to revitalisation of the universities system. “I want to assure you that this will be done in the next few years. I want to also assure you that only two areas are vital even though all others we have been working with the academic staff union and non academic staff union in the areas of funding and revitalization of the sector and earned allowances.