- We wont work on an empty stomach Lecturers
The meeting between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities, (ASUU), over the poor funding of Universities and the controversy surrounding the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System, (IPPIS), payment platform, yesterday ended without any resolution.
Speaking at the end of the meeting, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige told journalists that the government cannot meet the demand of ASUU for revitalisation because of the damaging effects of COVID-19 on the economy.
This is as the Federal Government at the meeting, which was held at the Conference Hall of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Abuja, said it cannot afford the N110 billion demanded by ASUU for funding of revitalisation of universities.
Senator Ngige disclosed that the Federal Government has offered the union N20 billion for revitalisation and N30 billion for Earned Academic Allowances, making it N50 billion all together, adding that the governments side made all these offers to show its commitment towards the resolution of the prolonged strike of the union.
Ngige said the transition period and how to disburse the Earned Academic Allowances and other entitlements remained unresolved as ASUU wanted an exemption from IPPIS whereas the government side headed by the Accountant-General of the Federation insisted on IPPIS, being the only government approved payment platform.
He said, So that is where we are for now; we are all going back to our principals and they will receive via me the irreducible minimum of what the federal government has to offer.
ASUU had earlier said its members are ready to end the seven months strike only when lecturers demands are met. Its chairman, UNILORIN chapter, Prof Moyo Ajao, who spoke at a press briefing yesterday, said lecturers are ready to return to their duty post but they wont work on an empty stomach.
