Journalism in the service of society

NATIONAL: I’ll not give ASUU opportunity to start fresh strike — Ngige

MINISTER of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, has vowed to do everything in his power to forestall another round of industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of University.

Ngige, whose ministry is the negotiator between the varsity lecturers and the Federal Ministry of Education, said he would ensure the government fulfils its part of the bargain.

He said this following the decision of ASUU, as announced by its President, Prof.Biodun Ogunyemi, to “conditionally” suspend  the nine-month long strike that paralysed academic activities on campuses across the country.

The decision to end the strike was taken after  a lot of foot-dragging by both parties involved.

According to Ogunyemi the suspension of the strike takes effect from Thursday, December 24th, 2020, warning that the union would resume the industrial action without notice if the government fails in meeting its part of the agreement.

But speaking on Wednesday night, the minister said he would ensure the government does its own bit.

Ngige spoke on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme monitored by Naija Times

He said the government would pay ASUU the agreed N40bn Earned Allowance before December 31, 2020.

The minister said, “We will not get to that (fresh strike), we will not get there because we have so structured the agreement in such a way that it is a win-win situation for everybody.

“For example, the Revitalisation (Fund), we have given government up to 31st of January to pay that. We have also opened the window that by end of February, we will sit down and review the situation, eight weeks or nine weeks from now, so nobody will keep anybody in suspense.

“I will not give ASUU the opportunity to go on strike (again) because I have three biological children that suffered from this imbroglio that we found ourselves in. So, I am a committed parent, I am involved, even more than some ASUU members because some of them have their children in private schools.

“I will not give them the opportunity because I will make sure the government does its own bit. I have structured the agreement in such a way that it is doable.”

 “They also know that we have labour laws and if the worst comes to the worst, they will give time, they will give notice.” Ngige, however, said in reaction to the threat by the ASUU president that the union could return to strike without informing the government.

4 Comments
  1. … [Trackback]
    […] Here you will find 79008 more Info on that Topic: naijatimes.ng/national-ill-not-give-asuu-opportunity-to-start-fresh-strike-ngige/ […]

  2. wikipedia

    … [Trackback]
    […] Find More on on that Topic: naijatimes.ng/national-ill-not-give-asuu-opportunity-to-start-fresh-strike-ngige/ […]

  3. … [Trackback]
    […] Read More on that Topic: naijatimes.ng/national-ill-not-give-asuu-opportunity-to-start-fresh-strike-ngige/ […]

  4. Research

    … [Trackback]
    […] Read More on to that Topic: naijatimes.ng/national-ill-not-give-asuu-opportunity-to-start-fresh-strike-ngige/ […]

Comments are closed.

Naija Times