No respite for students as FG, ASUU bicker over agreement

As the current industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) enters its sixth month, the Federal Government has denied the existence of a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) between it and the union.

This was released Wednesday in a statement by Senator Chris Ngige, Minister of Labor and Employment, in Abuja, signed by Orazide Oshundun, Deputy Director of Press and Public Relations of the ministry.

Ngige claimed that the clarification was required in light of what he said was the avalanche of purposefully false information that Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, the president of ASUU, and his branch leaders had been spreading among Nigerians.

The Minister noted that the union were urging President Muhammadu Buhari to ratify an accord they purportedly signed with the federal government.

According to Ngige, when Collective Bargaining Agreement is produced between unions and the federal government, it is not the president that signs.

READ ALSO: Strike: ASUU urges Buhari meet with re-negotiation committee

“But by the government side, the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) led by the direct employer with the conciliating ministry witnessing.

“We wish therefore to inform Nigerians that there is no such CBA that has been reached between the federal government, ASUU and other university unions on the renegotiation of their salaries and allowances (wages).

“What is in existence is a proposal. Even when such a CBA is made, it is not the president that signs it. From available records, no Nigerian President or sovereign signs such, ’’he said.

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The minister went on to say that in reality, Nigerians were aware of the fact that ASUU had been on strike since February 14 and were engaged in negotiations over their demand.

He stated that their demands, in particular, relate to their working circumstances, including their pay, benefits, and other topics pertaining to the public service, which will be decided by the appropriate federal government ministries and agencies.

Ngige claimed that those involved included the Federation’s Budget Office as well as the Ministries of Finance, Education, Labor, and Employment.

Others, he observed, included the recently established Prof. Nimi Briggs Committee, Office of the Head of Service of the Federation, and National Salaries Income and Wages Commission.

Ngige also stated that following the tripartite plus meeting of May 12, at the Presidential Villa, the National Information Technology Development Agency was directed to subject the three platforms of IPPIS, UTAS and UPPPS to test.

He said the fresh test on UTAS and on UPPPS has been concluded and results awaited while that of IPPIS was still in the works but all will be concluded in the next one week.

“This is knowing full well that these ceaseless strikes de-market our universities and certificates there from, while government labours with their leaders to produce a standard pay rise as soon as possible,’’ he said.