ASUU strike: NUC clears air on allowances

According to NUC, the earned allowances of N92 billion in the agreement covers the earned allowances of both academic and non-academic staff.While the federal government claimed that it had released N100 billion for infrastructural development of federal universities, ASUU has insisted that the amount due for injection is N500 billion.Government has also maintained that it […]

According to NUC, the earned allowances of N92 billion in the agreement covers the earned allowances of both academic and non-academic staff.
While the federal government claimed that it had released N100 billion for infrastructural development of federal universities, ASUU has insisted that the amount due for injection is N500 billion.
Government has also maintained that it has substantially met the agreements reached with the union with the exception of the N92 billion earned allowances.
The NUC, in a letter dated August 26, 2013 signed by the Executive Secretary, Professor Julius Okojie, and addressed to the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, directed the governing council to provide necessary oversight in the administration of the release earned allowances’ payment to “deserving academic and non-academic staff.”
Reacting to this development in a telephone chat with our correspondent, the Chairman, University of Ibadan Chapter of ASUU, Dr. Segun Ajiboye, said the initial claims by government representatives that ASUU was demanding N92 billion earned allowances for her members has “now fallen like a pack of cards.”
Ajiboye said: “The government that told Nigerians some weeks ago that ASUU was demanding N92 billion as allowances for its members has now written a letter that the amount is for both academic and non-academic staff in Nigerian federal universities.”
He said ASUU still insists on  total implementation of the 2009 agreement and the 2012 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which would require N500 billion to be injected into the university system.
“We want our universities back on track and we want the best for our children. Nigerians should join the union in pressurizing the government which had lied that it had no money only for it to now approve N100 billion.”
The NUC in a letter titled: “Payment of earned allowances” said the University of Ibadan has been allocated N2.1 billion.