Its seems like the ASUU Strike has hit an unshakable mountain of problems, as the Minister of labour, Chris Ngige has disclosed to newsmen that the Nigerian federal government does not have the required funds to meet some (and NOT ALL) of the demands of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), whose members are now on strike.
Remember when the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) disclosed that they will be going on a warning strike over the federal government’s delay on an agreement, which revolves around salaries, the adoption of the University Transparency Accountability Solution (UTAS) payroll software, and the revitalization fund for universities.
Reacting to this decision taken by the ASUU body on Thursday, March 3rd, the Minister of Labour representing the Nigerian government, disclosed to journalists that the N1.3 trillion revitalization fund was a promise made to ASUU by the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan when the country’s finances were quite stable and oil prices were above a hundred dollar ($100).
Dr. Chris Ngige said that the current administration of President Muhammadu Buhari informed ASUU of its inability to honor the previous revitalization fund agreement of Jonathan’s government, and has promised to find a way to fund the universities and revitalize infrastructure.
The minister of Labour representing the federal government on this issue, stated and I quote below:
“Government is a continuum. The N1.3 trillion ASUU body is talking about and requesting for was promised by the previous government (which was Jonathan government.) If you recall, A barrel of oil was selling about $100 to $120 then and the revenue of the federation was rich, unlike this regime where the federal isn’t fairing well.
“The agreement says that ‘government is unable to pay this but to show commitment to the intentions of the revitalization for which this N1.3 trillion was promised’.
“Don’t forget that this revitalization fee was promised by Jonathan’s government, and yes, they promised to kickstart the payment — and they actually paid N200 billion which they borrowed from TETFund. They did not take it from the federation account, mind you, which was rich. That payment spiraled into 2016 – to our regime, and it’s taking it toil on us.
“Now, to show Nigerians that we want the educational system to be fully functional, the government said we don’t have the money to pay for it — this was the agreement in 2016 to 2017 — but we will find a way by which we can fund the universities and revitalize infrastructure.
“A committee was set up with ASUU as members. The Nigerian government further disclosed that ‘we are going to drop N25 billion for you to show you in good faith that we are not talking nonsense.’
“Unless you want us to take money from TETFund and deceive you like it was done during Jonathan’s regime.”
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