The Federal Government on Wednesday postponed the negotiation meeting earlier scheduled today with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
The postponement was contained in a message from Mr Charles Akpan, Deputy Director, Ministry of Laboru and Employment.
According to the message, “The Meeting between ASUU and the Federal Government earlier scheduled for today (Wednesday) by 3 pm has been postponed. Thank you for your understanding.”
ASUU has been on strike since March this year over the nonpayment of Earned Academic Allowances, nonprovision of revitalisation fund among others.
Recently the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige had announced that the government had agreed to make available N70 billion for Earned Allowances which include other three University-based unions and the revitalisation fund.
The Minister on Tuesday said that the Federal Government has kept its promises with the university teachers, adding that the government had faithfully complied with timeliness in the offer is made to the union.
“For instance, the Federal Government promised to constitute a Negotiation Committee for the 2009 Agreement and has fulfilled it with the last week’s inauguration of the committee that has Professor Muzali as chairman.
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“The N40 billion Earned Academic Allowances/Earned Allowances have also been processed just like the N30 billion revitalization Fund, bringing it to a total of N70 billion.“
Likewise, the Visitation Panels for the Universities have been approved by the President but the panel cannot perform its responsibilities until the shut universities are re-opened.
“The gazetting is also being rounded off at the Office of Attorney General of the Federation while the Ministry of Education is ready to inaugurate the various visitation panels.
“Similarly, Government agreed to pay salaries, allowances of Earned Academic Allowances/ Earned Allowances with a hybrid platform that is not hundred per cent IPPIS as requested by ASUU while UTAS is undergoing usability and integrity test at National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) as demanded by ASUU.
“I, therefore, state without equivocation that every offer with a timeline has been faithfully fulfilled as promised by the government.”
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