FG Releases N130 Billion To Universities

Appeals to ASUU To End Strike

THE Federal Government has ordered the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), to immediately return back to classrooms as all issues are being resolved.

Government’s position was anchored on its release of the N130 billion covering N30 billion for earned allowance of lecturers and N100 billion for infrastructural upgrade for public universities yesterday in Abuja.

The contentious N92 billion earned allowances as demanded by ASUU cannot be released as government said it is a merited allowance, which should be determined by council of various universities.

It has therefore directed the various councils to put machineries in place to determine lecturers who merit the earned allowance and begin payments accordingly.

Speaking at a meeting with Pro-Chancellors and Vice Chancellors of public universities in the country, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim stated: “ We are pleased to say that the committee has completed its work and the report has been approved by the Federal Executive Council and the National Economic Council. The President has set up the Governor Suswan Committee for its implementation. N100 billion has been harnessed for the committee’s disbursement and 61 universities in the country are benefiting from this take-off programme.

“Traditionally, universities pay this to deserving staff but because of the amount which ASUU claims as arrears, government decided to assist the university councils to pay. It should be noted that government did not receive any computation of amount involved until February 2013. By this computation, ASUU is claiming N92 billion as arrears for three years’ payment based on percentage range of between 15 and 20 per cent of personal cost.”

Chairman, Committee of Pro-Chancellors of Federal Universities, Prof. Kimse Okoko, commended government for its efforts.

Okoko called on chancellors to use the funds judiciously while appealing to ASUU to show understanding and call off the strike.

Prof. Mohammed Hamise, Chairman of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors commended government for the N30 billion to university councils to defray the arrears of the peculiar allowances.