FG don’t have NI.I trillion to give ASUU as revitalisation funds -Ngige

By our reporter| The Federal Government has dealt with most of the demands of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Chris Ngige, the minister of labour and employment said on Thursday.

The minister, however, maintained that the Federal Government doesn’t NI.I trillion being demanded by ASUU as revitalisation funds for the universities.

Ngige stated this on Thursday while appearing on Channels Television programme, Politics Today.

“A lot of them have been dealt with after our meeting in October last year,” Ngige said.

“That’s why I said I was shocked they went on strike.

“The only place where they have a point to hold onto and do their strike is on the issue of renegotiation of 2009 – conditions of service, because their conditions of service was supposed to be reviewed.”

According to the Minister, the academics have produced an interim report on conditions of service which was rejected by the National Salaries, Incomes & Wages Commission (NSIWC).

“Because the things they have in there, in terms of allowances, were contrary to existing extant financial regulations,” he said.

He, however, said he was hopeful the academics will call off their strike soon so that students can return to the classroom.

One bone of contention for the academics is the non-payment of university revitalisation funds, which amounts to about N1.1 trillion.

But Mr. Ngige maintained that the Federal Government doesn’t have the money to pay such an amount, citing low oil prices during the Muhammadu Buhari administration.

The agreement was reportedly struck in 2009.

“In 2016/2017 government said it doesn’t have the money,” Mr. Ngige said. “But we will find a way by which we can fund the universities. So, a committee was set up with ASUU as members.”

According to Mr. Ngige, the committee “couldn’t come up with anything that could generate funds.

“The committee even recommended that stamp duty should be taken. There was a proposal to get money from phone charges. Government made it clear that we don’t have the 1.1 trillion that is remaining.”

ASUU, currently on a one-month strike, are seeking improved welfare, revitalisation of public universities, and academic autonomy among other demands.

With Channels Television report