ASUU: FG pushing us to consider another strike

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) says the federal government is pushing the body into considering another strike by neglecting its demands.

According to NAN, Salahu Lawal, Abuja zonal coordinator of the union, spoke at a press conference on Tuesday to address issues affecting the body.

Lawal said another industrial action by ASUU is imminent if the government fails to honour the agreements it reached with the union.

The Abuja zonal coordinator also said due to the failure of the government, the union can no longer guarantee industrial harmony in public universities.

He accused the federal government of shunning the memorandum of actions (MoAs) and memorandum  of understanding (MoUs) it agreed with ASUU.

Lawal said Nigerians, particularly parents with children in public universities, should hold government responsible for the consequences that might arise from the non-implementation of the agreements.

Lawal said while the union’s demands had been acknowledged by government, it has not demonstrated enough seriousness to meeting them.

“Recall that our union signed MoA with the government, leading to suspension of the 2020 strike action in February 202,” he said.

“Almost nine months on, the ASUU is again calling on government to honour its promises to Nigerians on the immediate deployment of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS).

“The signing into law of the draft renegotiated 2009 agreement, and the release of Revitalisation Funds to public universities, this will address the deplorable conditions under which our children live and learn.

“ASUU has for long laid bare to both government and Nigerians the decrepit state of infrastructure on our campuses which has been the bane of research activities in our universities.

“The imposition of the obnoxious Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) on our universities, despite its demonstrated shortcomings, is a clear case of the unnecessary meddlesomeness in the internal administrative procedures.

“In other words, government is pushing for another round of strike in our universities. Why is the government reluctant to dismantle the IPPIS infrastructure in the universities?”