FG urged to release N880bn to avert ASUU strike
The chairman, Nasarawa State chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Dr. Nghargbu K’tso, has asked the Federal Government to release the outstanding N880 billion fund meant for critical intervention projects of university education in order to avert ASUU total and comprehensive strike action across the country. Dr. K’tso who stated this shortly […]
The chairman, Nasarawa State chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Dr. Nghargbu K’tso, has asked the Federal Government to release the outstanding N880 billion fund meant for critical intervention projects of university education in order to avert ASUU total and comprehensive strike action across the country.
Dr. K’tso who stated this shortly after the union’s emergency meeting in Keffi on Monday, expressed fear over the devastating effect of the action to be taken by the union. He therefore urged government to show more commitment to the funding of universities and the welfare of lecturers in order to save the country’s university system from total collapse.
He said the union had been battling with the federal government since 2009 to get the fund released but to no avail.
The funds, he said, if released would address the problems of infrastructural decay, research and development and other key components of the nation’s university education.
He disclosed that the nationwide warning strike embarked upon by ASUU was to get government back to the renegotiation table in respect of the 2009 agreement between it and the union.
The contentious issues are the funding for revitalisation of public universities based on the Federal Government/ASUU MoU of November 2013, non-release of subvention to state universities by their visitors, payment of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA), shortfall in salaries leading to payment of fractions of staff salaries and registration of NUPEMCO among others.