Stop using strikes to resolve disputes, Nigerian government tells ASUU

Published: July 10,2013
University of Nigeria Nsukka Library
The FEC will set up a ministerial committee to meet with the lecturers.

The Executive Council of the Federation, FEC, has appealed to university lecturers to end the ongoing industrial action and return to class and asked the lecturers not to resort to strikes to resolve disagreements with the government.

The FEC at its Wednesday meeting presided over by Vice-President Namadi Sambo deliberated on the strike action and also reviewed the education sector. The meeting expressed worry about the often resort to strike by lecturers.

Apart from the strike by university lecturers, members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), their counterparts in the polytechnics, members of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP), are also on strike.
Briefing journalists after the FEC meeting, the Minister of Interior, Abba Moro, said Council had resolved to establish negotiations with the striking lecturers at the cabinet level to ensure a lasting solution.

He said the council was urging ASUU to reconsider the use of strikes to resolve grievances against government and that the union should consider other means of getting government to meet its demands.

Mr. Moro said the federal government was fully aware of the challenges facing the education sector which has seen students seeking for ‘greener pasture’ in foreign educational institutions, including those in neighbouring Benin Republic; adding that this trend is considered a waste of national asset and foreign exchange.
Power sector funding

Also addressing journalists, the Minister of State for Finance, Yerima Ngama, refuted accusations by the House of Representatives that the ministry had been delaying the release of funds for the power sector, hence, the continued inadequate and unsatisfactory electricity supply across the country.
He said the finance ministry has been doing a lot to aid the Ministry of Power actualise its mandate of providing adequate electricity supply for Nigerians.
He cited the oversubscribed $1 billion (N155 billion) bond floated by the federal government to fund electricity infrastructure in the country, as well as release of appropriate funds for power sector reforms.

“Ministry of Power has enjoyed tremendous release of funds,” he said, adding that Nigerians should be patient with government as it gradually rolls out the power projects that will guarantee up to 18 hours of electricity to consumers by 2014 as promised.

He also noted that the recent protest by staff of the Ministry of Environment over unpaid salaries was considered by FEC, which directed the relevant authorities to fast-track arrangements towards having the issue resolved as soon as possible.
The meeting also directed that other Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) with similar issues should ensure that they resolve it and ensure prompt and proper payment of salaries to their staff.
Jonathan’s China visit

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Viola Onwuliri, told journalists that the FEC discussed the state visit by President Goodluck Jonathan. He said the president was appropriately and warmly received by the Chinese government as required by protocol, and that the federal government would continue to engage other nations, not just China, in efforts to grow the Nigerian economy and foster good relations with global players.
She disclosed that as a mark of Nigeria’s rising stance in world affairs, no fewer than 33 heads of state have already confirmed their attendance at next week’s Abuja+12 summit on HIV/AIDS.
She said more confirmations are expected before actual arrivals on Monday.

Dumb govt , this agreement has been since 2009 ,am sure they must have written dozens of letters but nonchallant govternment wont pay an iota of attention to them even months after they strike there would still be some slow flux from the government