By Uche Bibilari
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Abuja Zone, has called on Nigerians to persuade the Federal Government to resolve all outstanding issues with the union to avoid another preventable industrial action.
The Zonal Coordinator, ASUU Abuja Zone, Prof. Al-Amin Abdullahi, made the call during a news conference on Monday in Abuja.
Abdullahi was represented by the ASUU Chairman, University of Abuja Chapter, Dr Sylvanus Ugoh.
He said that the future of Nigeria’s public universities and that of the students could not be sacrificed on the altar of insecurity, indifference and political grandstanding.
He said the purpose of the news conference was to inform Nigerians about the union’s interface with the Federal Government in light of the recent suspension of its warning strike.
“We wish to reaffirm that the issues include the renegotiation and full execution of the 2009 ASUU Agreement, which addresses greater academic autonomy, better funding, staff welfare and revitalisation of public universities.
“There is also the immediate release of our members’ salaries that were withheld for three and half months without a valid reason.
“Payment of substantial unpaid arrears, like one year of the 25 per cent/35 per cent wage award, withheld third-party deductions, such as cooperative funds and union check-off dues still remains unresolved,” he said.
He explained that the government proposal was elevated at the emergency NEC meeting on Oct. 21.
He said that in spite of the extreme inadequacy, the offers were accepted in good faith to allow for meaningful resumption of collective bargaining.
“Consequently, on Oct. 22, out of respect for our students, parents, media, NLC and other well-meaning Nigerians who supported our struggle, NEC suspended the two-week action.
“We gave the Federal Government one month to complete negotiations and show sincere commitment to implement the proposals.
“Almost four weeks since the suspension, it is obvious the Federal Government had not used this goodwill period effectively.
“The administration has not demonstrated the necessary urgency to address the persistent issues plaguing public universities,” he said.
Abdullahi said that the government must move quickly to prevent another industrial dispute in the Nigerian public universities.
He said that the effect of unpaid salary awards, withheld salaries, unremitted deductions and underfunding had been devastating as students face prolonged calendars, heightened financial burdens and disrupted learning journeys.
He said that the national project of building competent future leaders, innovators and professionals was being severely undermined.
The zonal coordinator said that another major area of disagreement in the Federal Government proposal was the issue of salary and conditions of service, saying they are inadequate and below the expectations of members.
He said that the union had recognised the government’s actions, such as the release of some third party deductions and the partial payment of promotion arrears dated back to 2017.
He said that the action was an attempt to foster confidence rather than a commitment to resolve the main contention.
According to him, the best way to revitalise public universities is through sincere negotiation rather than propaganda.
“However, when agreements are broken, payments are withheld, or deception is employed in place of interaction, the union has a moral and constitutional obligation to defend public education and safeguard its members.
“ASUU will not think twice about using every lawful tool at its disposal if the government continues to trivialise challenges that undermine the existence of public universities,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the institutions under Abuja Zone comprises UniAbuja, Federal University of Technology, Minna, Federal University, Lafia, Nasarawa State University, Keffi and Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University, Lapai. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Kadiri Abdulrahman
