Regardless
of the despite the order from the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari
(retd.), that February and March 2020 withheld salaries of lecturers in federal
universities should be paid, the Academic Staff Union of Universities says its
ongoing strike would continue.
of the despite the order from the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari
(retd.), that February and March 2020 withheld salaries of lecturers in federal
universities should be paid, the Academic Staff Union of Universities says its
ongoing strike would continue.
The Federal Government had previously
withheld the lecturers’ salaries over their refusal to register in the
Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System which resulted to the union
embarking on an indefinite strike, arguing that the implementation of the IPPIS
was against the FG-ASUU 2009 agreement.
withheld the lecturers’ salaries over their refusal to register in the
Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System which resulted to the union
embarking on an indefinite strike, arguing that the implementation of the IPPIS
was against the FG-ASUU 2009 agreement.
The National President of ASUU, Prof.
Abiodun Ogunyemi, who reacted to the payment of withheld salaries, insisted
that the lecturers would not resume work because the strike was not only about
IPPIS. He further stated that the payment would pave the way for a meaningful
dialogue with the government. His statement says as thus;
Abiodun Ogunyemi, who reacted to the payment of withheld salaries, insisted
that the lecturers would not resume work because the strike was not only about
IPPIS. He further stated that the payment would pave the way for a meaningful
dialogue with the government. His statement says as thus;
“Now,
we can discuss without an atmosphere of intimidation. This will lead to a
meaningful dialogue. The ongoing industrial strike action by the union is still
on. Our strike is not just about the IPPIS”.
we can discuss without an atmosphere of intimidation. This will lead to a
meaningful dialogue. The ongoing industrial strike action by the union is still
on. Our strike is not just about the IPPIS”.
He also queried the Federal
Government’s motive of asking Vice-Chancellors to pay lecturers with their Bank
Verification Number. He said, “Our members weren’t paid with BVN in the past.
Why the sudden change? They should go back to the old system which they have
always used to pay.”
Government’s motive of asking Vice-Chancellors to pay lecturers with their Bank
Verification Number. He said, “Our members weren’t paid with BVN in the past.
Why the sudden change? They should go back to the old system which they have
always used to pay.”
The ASUU president said paying the
lecturers was not a favour, adding that “Members worked in February and we were
still working in March before this coronavirus pandemic broke. It is expected
that a labourer is paid his wages. Even as we are talking, people are supposed
to be prepared to get their April salary.”
lecturers was not a favour, adding that “Members worked in February and we were
still working in March before this coronavirus pandemic broke. It is expected
that a labourer is paid his wages. Even as we are talking, people are supposed
to be prepared to get their April salary.”
A top official of ASUU, who is among
the negotiation team in the FG-ASUU IPPIS crisis, however, said that top
officials of the union would meet after the salaries are paid to determine the
next line of action.
the negotiation team in the FG-ASUU IPPIS crisis, however, said that top
officials of the union would meet after the salaries are paid to determine the
next line of action.
“The moment the salaries are paid, the
National Executive Committee of the union would meet to deliberate on the next
line of action,” he said.
National Executive Committee of the union would meet to deliberate on the next
line of action,” he said.
The Minister of Labour and Employment,
Dr Chris Ngige, had on Tuesday said the President directed the Minister of
Finance, Budget and Planning, and the Accountant General of the Federation to
effect the payment urgently to cushion the deleterious effects of COVID 19
pandemic lockdown on lecturers and members of their family.
Dr Chris Ngige, had on Tuesday said the President directed the Minister of
Finance, Budget and Planning, and the Accountant General of the Federation to
effect the payment urgently to cushion the deleterious effects of COVID 19
pandemic lockdown on lecturers and members of their family.
The Labour Minister added that all the
Vice-Chancellors were asked to revalidate the affected lecturers’ Bank
Verification Numbers and forward to the Accountant General of the Federation
for the payments.
Vice-Chancellors were asked to revalidate the affected lecturers’ Bank
Verification Numbers and forward to the Accountant General of the Federation
for the payments.
The Federal Government had directed
all federal tertiary institutions in the country to enroll in the IPPIS from
February 2020.
all federal tertiary institutions in the country to enroll in the IPPIS from
February 2020.
