By our reporter| The federal government has asked the industrial court to give accelerated hearing to a suit it filed against the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) over the prolonged strike of the union.
The request was contained in a letter dated September 8, by Chris Ngige, minister of labour and employment to the chief registrar of the industrial court.
The minister urged the court to give the suit accelerated hearing in order to resolve the dispute between the union and the government.
“Please find attached three original copies of a referral instrument regarding the trade dispute between the FG /federal ministry of education and ASUU for adjudication by the national industrial court of Nigeria,” the letter reads in part.
“The referral instrument is raised in fine with powers vested on the honourable minister of labour and employment by trade dispute resolution mechanisms and the provision of Section 17 of the Trade Dispute Act. CAP. T8 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN), 2004.
“In view of the fact that ASUU members have been on strike since February 2222, and have refused to cull off the action despite apprehension of same, it would be appreciated if this dispute is given an accelerated hearing in order to bring the dispute to an end.”
ASUU has been on strike since February 14 over demand for improved funding for universities, and a review of salaries for lecturers, among other issues.
Several meetings to resolve the dispute has not been successful.
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