FG Frustrating Negotiation, ASUU Alleges

FG Frustrating Negotiation, ASUU Alleges

By Ejiofor Alike

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has accused the federal government of refusing to take necessary steps to resolve the ongoing strike action embarked upon by the lecturers.

Speaking yesterday on a live TV programme, the National President of Prof Biodun Ogunyemi, explained that the federal government is frustrating the negotiation between it and the union.

He cited the delay in adopting ASUU’s preferred platform, the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS), describing the delay as one of the major reasons why the strike has not been suspended.

“The strike is still on as a result of the FG not taking the necessary steps. We gave them two weeks to address our five points demands.

“We engaged the government but they were not forthcoming. They had a whole year to address those issues. They gave us positions that were not acceptable to our members.

“During our first meeting, we thought they were almost resolving the issues.

“What compounded the problem is the issue of IPPIS. We have said that it is a distraction. There is no university in the world that IPPIS is being used.

“We have done three presentations of UTAS to the Minister of Education and his team, the leadership of Senate and Office of the Accountant-General. They only agreed that UTAS is accepted in principles.

“We are almost getting UTAS approved but govt is saying that our members should first migrate to IPPIS before returning to UTAS. That makes no economic sense. The government has made it difficult for smooth negotiation. They said our members will be paid when they move to IPPIS.”

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