Varsity teachers remained adamant last night, saying their strike would go on, despite the government’s shifting of its position. The strike has been on for four months.
More cash has been pledged for projects on the campuses. Besides, the earned allowances due to the teachers have been increased from the initial N30 billion offer, which the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) rejected. The teachers are insisting on the 2009 agreement, which they say President Goodluck Jonathan was part of. Besides, they say, they do not trust the government.
According to a circular by the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa State, Prof. Bolaji Aluko, to the staff of the school, quoted yesterday by the news website, Sahara Reporters, the government has pledged to spend N200 billion on the universities in the 2014 budget and the same amount annually for the next three to four years.
This is in addition to the N100 billion already made available this year, but which ASUU has rejected.
The government has also increased to N40 billion, as a first installment, funds for the payment of earned allowances to the striking lecturers – an improvement from the N30 billion previously released.
On the earned allowances, Aluko said: “Government will top it up with further releases once universities are through with the disbursement of this new figure of N40 million. So, Vice-Chancellors are urged to expedite this disbursement within the shortest possible time using guiding templates that have been sent by the CVC,” the circular said.
Aluko said the latest development followed meetings on September 19 and Oct 11 of representatives of the Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, led by its Chairman, Prof. Hamisu of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) and ASUU representatives led by its President, Dr.Nasir Fagge, with Vice-President Namadi Sambo and Minister of Education Nyesome Wike.
A source in the Ministry of Education last night also confirmed that the meeting took place.
“But the government decided to leave the announcement of the decision to the ASUU chiefs,” the source said.
It was gathered that Sambo urged ASUU to call off the strike, as he apologised for the “take-it-or-leave-it” comments credited to Minister of Finance Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala at the beginning of the strike. The Minister did not seem to have been involved in either meeting, perhaps as the government’s way of soothing the feelings of the university teachers.
Other points of agreement at the meetings include:
•Project Prioritisation: Universities will now be allowed to determine their priorities and not be “rail-roaded” into implementing a pre-determined set of projects with respect to the NEEDS assessment. Decisions are not to be centralized;
•TETFund Intervention: The government assured the teachers that the operations of the TETFund will not be impaired, and that the regular TETFund intervention disbursement to universities will continue, unaffected. So the NEEDS assessment capital outlays are in addition to regular TETFund intervention;
•Project Monitoring: A new Implementation Monitoring Committee (IMC) for the NEEDS Assessment intervention for universities has been set up to take over from the Suswam Committee. The new one is under the Federal Ministry of Education and chaired by the Minister of Education. In addition, to build confidence and ensure faithful implementation and prevent any relapse as before, the Vice President will meet quarterly with the implementors to monitor progress.
.Blueprint: ASUU was mandated to submit a blueprint for revitalising the universities to the Vice President.
Prof. Aluko stated that a signed document will soon be issued to itemise the full issues on which the consensus was reached.
But ASUU last night was unimpressed with the new offer. National Treasurer Dr. Ademola Aremu said the offer failed to meet the teachers’ expectations.
He said the offer falls short of the agreement signed with ASUU by the government.
Aremu insisted that ASUU would not end the strike until the 2009 agreement is fully implemented by injecting N500 billion into the universities yearly to shore up the system’s quality.
Aremu, who spoke to our correspondent on the telephone, said any offer below what is contained in the signed agreement, would amount to unilateral repudiation of an agreement the government willingly signed in 2009.
According to the unionist, ASUU is not making any new demand, but a mere implementation of an agreement. He pointed out that the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by both parties in 2009 stated that the government would commit N1.5 trillion to the system in three years.
He said: “ Even if the Federal Government made that promise, it would be a unilateral repudiation of the 2009 agreement. By now, the government should have injected N500 billion. That amounts to N100 billion in 2012 and N400 billion in the current year.
“As a matter of fact, any new commitment from the Federal Government is belated. Implementation of the agreement ought to have started before this year. I don’t think there is any way we can trust this government, going by its past behaviour on this issue.
“The mandate from our principal as at the last time we met was that we won’t end the strike until the agreement is fully implemented.
“We do not need promises again. What we need now is actual implementation. What if they do not release the funds again after making the promise?
“It was this same Mr President that mid-wifed the agreement in 2009 when he was the Vice President. The MoU was in his custody. He studied the agreement well before asking then President Umaru Yar’Adua to sign it. We can’t trust this government. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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God will judge you all enemy of progress
ReplyDeleteЙą wa Ooº°˚ ˚°Âº . Person go soon go fynd work 4 d1 wey e day ground S̶̲̥̅Æ ̴̴̴̴̴̴͡ Ooº°˚ ˚°Âº . Asuu here FG dere. Dis1 wear pant. God help We Student
ReplyDeleteit's nw clear dat asuu are fighting 4 dia ownself.nonesense.
ReplyDeletei still do not undstd why govt are playing games with asuu. what is holding them from implement an already signed agreement with asuu?
ReplyDeleteasuu is very cursed.the govt is trying to end d strike bt dey r adamant.mr boko haram fagge,i hope witches visit u in d nite and tear off ur obstinate head
ReplyDeleteASUU is senseless
ReplyDeleteWhy
DeleteU ds writters u are d most enemy of prgress bcose u dont know what naija is all about csder film maker and d ASUU.
ReplyDeleteGod will judge who if I may ask @ 5.46am? Is it not better for them to fight for the rights of students? Have u seen the horrible infrastructures in our universities? Is it not the same govt that is building houses worth 3billion for. David mark, tambuwal and their deputies which they even rejected? Is it not in dis same govt that a minister is buying 2 cars worth 255m? So what are we saying? Pls ASUU should not call of anystrike till their agreement is met. This is the worst govt ever in the history of Nigeria
ReplyDeleteASUU has gone beyond the limit.
ReplyDeleteASUU leadership has shown that they are been sponsored by political enemies of the governement to hamper the progress of Nigeria. Students should rise up and contend with Asuu now that it is clear. ASUU is the one keeping them at home. GEJ has tried tremedously and he should start investigating this ASUU president and his cohorts. Nigerians should hold ASUU responsible for their wards staying at home. Wicked bunch of BH supporters, who take pleasure in the suffering of nigerian students.
ReplyDeleteNow they wld say u are been sponsored by d govt..........really ASUU hav missed d plot, so wat if d govt completely neglects them and stop payin their salaries...........Jonathan is been blackmaiked in a bid 2 b seen as a democratic nd diplomatic leaders d pple take him 4 granted.......wld Fashola tolerate dis? He wld hav sacked d lecturers nd employ som half baked graduates 2 finish off d education system..........where was ASUU wen agreeement was not implemented since 2009, y is it now dat they just realised dat there was an agreement?
Deleteall dos pple commenting against Asuu are fool. U can never trust dis govt whn it comes 2 sometin dat will help d poor masses. Dis govt is wicked. Asuu continue with d strike until ur demands are met.
ReplyDeleteSo we can't trust d govt where does dat leave us..........so everyone shld go on strike abi how can we bsure d govt will pay salaries dis month?
Deleteall dos pple commenting against Asuu are fool. U can never trust dis govt whn it comes 2 sometin dat will help d poor masses. Dis govt is wicked. Asuu continue with d strike until ur demands are met.
ReplyDeleteBanana republic
ReplyDeleteI wonder when we will learn in this country. Strike of this nature as been going on in this country since i was young. lets recap, Assu signed an agreement with this govt on hw to settle education issue after years of strike, now the-same govt is refuting to act on an already signed contract and u blame ASUU!!!!! what do we want? take the offer and in another 1year we start another round of strike or we join this guys and nip govt's insincerity in the bud and its lack of ability to simply meet a contractual agreement, If this was an organised society Govt should be sued. Pls lets face reality and a new way to governance rather than continue use of tactics to pro-long strike all d time. we either do the right thing or our children will still come to face this (God Forbid!!!!!)
ReplyDeleteSo my bros JONA convinced late Yardua to sign the 2009 agreement with ASUU thinking in his feeble mind that "God, don catch my oga, him don sign an agreement wey him next generation no fit implement, let alone himself" Jona never new that foolish reasoning will cost him 2015 election.
ReplyDeleteThank GOD ASUU, knows their intentions. Promises that will not be fufilled. ASUUNshld not be deceived into calling off this strike, bcos once they do, this CROOK government will say "God don catch una" As for NGOZI she shld continue to be part of LIE LIE government. NEMESIS will certain catch up with her and other CROOKS in this CROOKED GOVERNMENT led by my bros-JONA.
student please lets join hands 2geder to fight dis so called asuu enough is enough. Govt pls dont even give dem any money again bcos we can see dat d whole thing is bcoming political.
ReplyDeleteAsuu should do something, b/c students are d one's suffering this.
ReplyDeleteThis ASUU Palava is becoming another fin entirely. Is seems more to it than the eye ...CAREER FORUM
ReplyDeleteASUU is fighting a just cause. Its either we suffer now and enjoy a better future or temporarily enjoy our now and suffer in the near future. The choice is ours for the making
ReplyDeleteThere's no future 2 enjoy u can't get anthing meaningful by arm twisting
DeleteAsuu should continue the strike, will are not fools to be deceived by calling such amount of money. believe me friends, we don't trust gov't. forget what people are saying that asuu is being sponsored by political enemies, is a lie. Is better we suffer now and enjoy at the long run. stupid minister of finance and colleague. evil politicians. God will judge you all for wasting students time. N.L.C, what are you waiting for. please loin the strike.
ReplyDeletethis matter to me is simple,you had an agreement some years back and you are reminded to fulfill the same agreement,instead of obliging,you resort to blackmails,intimidation and manipulations.this is the more reason why this government cannot be trusted.asuu should insist on the already made agreement and nothing else.if a single person can spend 255m on frivolity,i do not think what asuu is asking for is out of place.
ReplyDeleteASUU hav shown themselves 2 b insincere, when u go 4 a negotiation it is not an I must hav it my way, u seek 4 a win-win situation............GEJ may call their bluff soon , the earlier d beta 4 him so he knows his enemies and put in place strategies 2 neutralise them!
ReplyDeleteJona is saving money for 2015, meanwhile is it that anything that any form of criticism against govt is seen as being politically motivated. That is why tins will continue to go wrong. Pls let d pipo in govt look at issues on their merit.
ReplyDeletePla mr GEJ sign all 2015 allocation to them so that the remaing sector will be looking this people eventhough they give them the money they can not make use of it what GEJ should do is that he shold retire all of them they are young garduate overthere who can apply for this post and utilize this money....they are just wasting nigeria money they were not lecturing anytin
ReplyDeleteI really don't knw the problem of dis so called Minister of Finance cos she is suppose to be a mother and role model nt causing more confusion in the country. I don't blame her simply becos her children don't sch in dis country, Asuu collect all the money the govt are oweing without leaving any kobo behide.. Nigeria money dey 4 inside Nigeria, Jonathan wants to use the money 4 his 2015 election but God pass am.. Let the strike continue 4 a better 2morrow
ReplyDeleteIf as a vice president he signed the MOU in 2009, then as a president he should implement it in 2013 to show that he is committed to the NIGERIA AGENDA. If he can be using SURE-P for other things why neglect the educational sector that is vital to economic recovery through objective research. It is high time we solved our educational problems.
ReplyDeleteASUU.Do the right thing and stop politics.You guys are too greedy.
ReplyDelete