THE hope for the re-opening of universities in the shortest possible time was dashed Thursday after the Federal Government constituted committee chaired by the Benue State Governor, Hon. Gabriel Suswan in a meeting with the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, failed to agree on the contentious issues.
There were expectations that ASUU could call off the strike after the meeting as the National President of the unionDr. Nasir Fagge had previously said that calling off the strike was dependent upon what the Federal government would place on the table in respect of the implementation of the 2009 agreement.
Speaking to Vanguard on the outcome of the meeting, Dr. Fagge said, “Well it was inaugural meeting, so naturally nothing much was achieved. It is just that the chairman (Governor Gabriel Suswan) told us how he wants to carry out the assignment.
“And then he said that he thinks we should have a sub-committee that will liaise with TETFund and National Planning Commission to get more information on the technical report that was submitted by the Needs Assessment Committee and on the basis of that, projects will be identified and will now look for the funding.”
On the promise he made that after the meeting the union would take a stand depending on what the government wouldplace on the table, he said, “There is no change any way because the meeting today is just considering one aspect of the agreement, which is funding.
“So what we did today was to have an inaugural meeting on funding and our members nation wide said nothing short of implementation of all aspects of the agreement will make them call off the strike, solike I said whatever meeting weare invited, we will go and give our members information.
“ like I said today’s meeting was an inaugural meeting nothing much was achieved there order than how to go andimplementing the Needs Assessment Report which is an aspect of funding aspect of the agreement, so we will wait and see whatever government decides to do with the agreement, we are there.