ASUU threatens strike over N495b varsities’ revitalisation funds, TSA
ASUU
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU)
has called for immediate release of N495 billion
revitalisation funds for universities. The union also
wants the 2009 ASUU/Federal Government of
Nigeria (FGN) Agreement and Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) of 2013 implemented to the
letter.
Briefing reporters yesterday in Calabar, ASUU Zonal
Coordinator, Professor Nsing Ogar, represented by
University of Calabar chairperson, Dr. Tony Eyang,
said: “ASUU can no longer guarantee industrial
peace on our campuses, as academic staff think
government has taken them for a ride.
“You would recall that for six months in 2013, ASUU
waged a struggle for the revitalisation of our
universities through the implementation of the 2009
agreement. It is indeed depressing that there has
been no indication of seriousness on the part of the
Federal Government to honour the MOU reached in
November 2013 as a roadmap to the implementation
of that agreement.
“This is, in spite of the understanding demonstrated
by the union, which in our opinion, has been taken
for granted. For instance, the funds for
revitalisation of universities have not been released
for some time now contrary to the agreement, thus
piling the arrears to N495b.”
ASUU decried payment of salaries in fractions in
federal universities since December 2015 and other
knotty issues, noting that government had failed to
keep to its promise.
urged government to exclude the university system
from the Treasury Single Account (TSA)
arrangement, saying it was hampering smooth
administration of the institutions. It threatened
industrial crisis in the event of inaction.
Addressing a press conference in Benin city, Zonal
Coordinator in charge of universities in Edo, Delta
and Ondo states, Prof. Anthony Monye-Emina, said
crisis was looming in the university system, with
regards to poor funding, particularly the
introduction of TSA, which he noted, poses serious
setback for development.
Monye-Emina bemoaned that the institutions were
already overburdened by shortfall in subventions
for salary and other overheads.
“Sabbaticals are no longer possible because the
universities can not pay. External examinations and
assessments are increasingly becoming difficult
because arrears of unpaid allowances for these
essential services have accumulated.
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