An Update on Ongoing ASUU Negotiations
Introduction: Following
two meetings (on Thursday 19th Sept 2013 and Friday 11th Oct 2013) of
representatives of the AVCNU (Association of Vice-Chancellors of
Nigerian Universities, led by CVC Chairman, Prof. Hamisu of ATBU) and
ASUU Representatives (led by its President, Dr. Fagge) with the
Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Arc. N. Sambo,
Minister of Education Barr. N. Wike and others, all Vice-Chancellors
have been urged to inform and enlighten academic and other staff on the
following developments so that we can ensure a return to normalcy in our
universities within the shortest possible time
Earned Allowances:
The N30 billion already released will now be increased to N40 billion,
and should be regarded only as first installment, and not a
once-and-for-all payment. Government will top it up with further
releases once universities are through with the disbursement of this new
figure of N40 million, so Vice-Chancellors are urged to expedite this
disbursement within the shortest possible time using guiding templates
that have been sent by the CVC.
2. NEEDS Assessment Capital Money:
Government was cognizant and mindful of the ability of Universities to
effectively/efficiently utilize the N100 billion fund immediately, hence
that figure. However, in addition to this N100 billion dedicated and
already to be made available for 2013, N200 billion (increased from
N150 billion previously agreed) will now be earmarked in the 2014 Budget
as well as each of the following three-four years until the
Universities are brought to world-class standard.
3. Project Prioritization: Universities
will now be allowed to determine their priorities and not be
“rail-roaded” into implementing a pre-determined set of projects with
respect to the NEEDS assessment. Decisions are not to be centralized.
4. TETFund Intervention:
Government assured that the operations of the TETFund will not be
impaired, and that the regular TETFund intervention disbursement to
Universities will continue, unaffected. So the NEEDS assessment capital
outlays are in addition to regular TETFund intervention.
5. IMC: A new
Implementation Monitoring Committee (IMC) for the NEEDs ASSESSMENT
intervention for universities has been set up to take over from the
Suswan Committee. The new one is under the Federal Ministry of
Education and chaired by the Honorable Minister of Education. In
addition, to build confidence and ensure faithful implementation and
prevent any relapse as before, the Vice President will meet quarterly
with the IMC to monitor progress.
6. Blueprint: ASUU was mandated to submit a blue print for revitalizing the Universities to the Vice President.
7. Official Agreement Document: A
signed document would be issued very soon to itemize the full issues on
which this present consensus outlined here, brokered by AVCNU, has been
reached.
8. An Appeal to Call Off Strike:
The Vice-President Sambo appealed to ASUU to call off the strike and
apologized for the “take-it-or-leave-it” comments credited to the Hon
Minister of Finance. All other parties present at the meetings also
prevailed on the ASUU leadership to consult objectively with its members
to get them to agree with what is now on the table and to call off the
strike as soon as possible after the Sallah break
of Tuesday/Wednesday October 15/16 2013.
9. ASUU President Responds: At both meetings, the President of ASUU thanked the VP for taking over negotiations and promised to consult with his ASUU Constituency.
We keep our fingers firmly crossed, as
we await both the official consensus agreement document and full ASUU
reaction. Statesmanship from all sides is called for at this point in
time.
Prof. Mobolaji E. Aluko
Vice-Chancellor
Federal University Otuoke
Source: www.fuotuoke.edu.ng
0 comments:
Post a Comment