Strike: Again FG, ASUU yet to reach agreement
The Federal Government and Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) are yet to reach a compromise to end the ongoing strike by the university lecturers. Minister of Labour and Employment Chris Ngige, while addressing newsmen after a closed door meeting with the union on Friday in Abuja said the meeting was protracted. He said, “The […]
Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige during a conciliatory meeting, Friday, with the executive of the Academic Staff Union of Universities ASUU led by its President Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi
The Federal Government and Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) are yet to reach a compromise to end the ongoing strike by the university lecturers.
Minister of Labour and Employment Chris Ngige, while addressing newsmen after a closed door meeting with the union on Friday in Abuja said the meeting was protracted.
He said, “The meeting was protracted, but the good news is that we have gotten to the end of the tunnel.
“We met them half way and we have finished the gray areas and on the issue of N50 billion, we have offered what we have. We do not have N50 billion, but we have offered them something reasonable. So they have to go and present it to their members.”
Ngige, however, expressed hope that students would return to school soon, saying “We will know when they will go back by Thursday.”
Earlier, ASUU President, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, said the meeting had been adjourned to Feb. 7.
“So far on the level of progress made, I cannot tell you that now until I tell my members.
“It is the feedback of the last meeting we came to present to government today.
“But right now, we have a new set of information that we have to go and present to our members; until we tell our members, we cannot tell you,” he said.
Ogunyemi, however, noted that progress had been made on the ongoing negotiations.
“We are making progress and the progress we are making is for everybody’s interest and stakeholders will benefit at the end of the day. We will be meeting on Thursday, after which, we will address the press. We have trashed all areas, so the progress we have made must first be related to our members.
“So, until we tell them, and they tell us what to do that, that is only when we can relate to the press. The meeting is adjourned till Thursday,’’ he added.