Lecturers reject FG’s offers, ASUU strike continues

Lecturers reject FG’s offers, ASUU strike continues

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike action set to continue after they rejected the offers made to it early this week by the federal government.

The expectations of Nigerians that academic activities will resume soon in the country’s public universities may have been dashed as Academic Staff Union of Universities (Asuu) has rejected offers from the Federal Government.

According to PREMIUM TIMES, the President of ASUU, Biodun Ogunyemi, said upon reviewing the offers made by the government, members of the union across various campuses and zones rejected it.

Mr. Ogunyemi, who described government’s offer on the outstanding revitalization fund of N1.1 trillion as tokenism, said members are insisting that government should release at least a tranche of N220 billion spread over four quarters of 2019.

He added that on earned allowances, government’s proposal should not be lesser than the total amount released “the last time” out of the verified balance. Mr Ogunyemi said;

“Our members have rejected tokenism with respect to outstanding revitalization fund of N1.1 trillion. They are insisting that government should release at least one tranche of N220 billion spread over four quarters of 2019.

“On earned academic allowances, our members said government’s proposed amount out of the verified balance should not be less than the total amount released last time, while evidence of mainstreaming the allowances into the 2019 budget should be shown. Also, timeline should be attached to payment of the balance of the arrears.

“The revitalization fund and earned academic allowances are the two critical areas on which our members feel strongly about. They expect necessary adjustments on the part of government before they can reconsider their decision on the ongoing strike action.”

Lecturers reject FG’s offers, ASUU strike continues