L
LequteMan
Guest
Speaking from the Abuja studios of Channels TV during Sunrise Daily, the National President of the Association Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Dr. Nassir Issa-Fagge has revealed that the union would suspend its 5-month-old strike if Federal Government releases the funds it had promised the union.
He had on Tuesday queried the Federal Government for not formally communicating the opening of an account credited with the sum of N200 billion in the Central Bank to the union.
Noting that ASUU operates as a democratic institution, Fagge revealed that the union “requested that once that is done (bank account opening) and the committee that is supposed to disburse the funds start working, our members will have no reason not to suspend the strike action” insisting that the “most important part of this thing at this point is that let there be documentation”.
He said the union is insisting on documentation for the fear of not having to re-embark on another action “for government not meeting the requirement, particularly the promises Mr President has made”.
“Why won’t government make available this money so that we know the money is there and the universities commence drawing from this money to address the problem of decay in infrastructure, teaching and research facilities? When that is done, our members will suspend the strike” he promised.
He berated the fact that other unions had to re-embark on the strike actions due to the failure of the Federal Government to keep to promises made to the striking unions.
Debunking claims that the ASUU is not speaking with one voice, Fagge maintained that “Our members do not play a role in closing or opening universities, if the university administration decides to open a university, they can go ahead and do that” noting that “it is their own responsibility” insisting that “our members will not be there to teach”.
He also refuted the claim that the opposition had infiltrated the ranks of the union and charged the Federal Government to sort the issues on ground and the union will suspend the strike.
He had on Tuesday queried the Federal Government for not formally communicating the opening of an account credited with the sum of N200 billion in the Central Bank to the union.
Noting that ASUU operates as a democratic institution, Fagge revealed that the union “requested that once that is done (bank account opening) and the committee that is supposed to disburse the funds start working, our members will have no reason not to suspend the strike action” insisting that the “most important part of this thing at this point is that let there be documentation”.
He said the union is insisting on documentation for the fear of not having to re-embark on another action “for government not meeting the requirement, particularly the promises Mr President has made”.
“Why won’t government make available this money so that we know the money is there and the universities commence drawing from this money to address the problem of decay in infrastructure, teaching and research facilities? When that is done, our members will suspend the strike” he promised.
He berated the fact that other unions had to re-embark on the strike actions due to the failure of the Federal Government to keep to promises made to the striking unions.
Debunking claims that the ASUU is not speaking with one voice, Fagge maintained that “Our members do not play a role in closing or opening universities, if the university administration decides to open a university, they can go ahead and do that” noting that “it is their own responsibility” insisting that “our members will not be there to teach”.
He also refuted the claim that the opposition had infiltrated the ranks of the union and charged the Federal Government to sort the issues on ground and the union will suspend the strike.