“You have only one-week window to release our N22.27bn” ASUU tells FG

ASUU has again warned the Federal Government to release the sum of money it had long approved.

The FG had earlier said that it approved N22.27 billion to pay the earned academic allowances owed to the members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU.

ASUU has said that the only way to avert another indefinite strike was to pay the approved sum before its three-week ultimatum expires.

Professor Emmanuel Osodeke, President of the union gave this warning on Sunday saying the three-week ultimatum issued by the Union is remaining only one week to which the union can take the next action, should government fail to comply.

He said that up till Sunday, ASUU has not heard from the Federal Government concerning the release of the money it had promised and it has not also officially communicated to the union about the matter.

The union in the last few months and since the expiration of its August deadline had been notifying the public about its lingering contentious issues with the Federal Government threatening to embark on strike if the Federal Government fails to honor the last agreement it reached with the union.

The agreement which was reached was based on the provision of funds for the revitalisation of dilapidating infrastructure which included hostel accommodation, befitting lecture theatres, good working environment for lecturers, state-of-the-art laboratories and so others.

Included in the agreement was the payment of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA), arresting the trend of proliferation of state-owned universities while neglecting the funding of the existing ones, among others.

The FG seems to be playing around with ASUU and the union is not finding this funny and not taking it lightly. This contention will have a negative impact on the students who are at the receiving end of the consequences.

We urge both parties to come into term and save the country of another strike that would elongate the stay of students in school.