Strikes: Implement Agreements With ASUU, Others, Reps Tell FG

House of Representatives has called for the urgent implementation of the agreements signed between the federal government and the academic and non-academic unions of federal tertiary institutions in the country to stop further strikes.

It, therefore, urged the President Bola Tinubu to direct the relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) to come up with modalities for true negotiation with both the academic and non-academic unions so as to come up with workable, implementable and final agreement to be signed by both parties.

The House further wanted the president to direct the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget Office of the Federation, Accountant General of the Federation and such other MDAs to ensure the full implementation and prompt payment of all the monies due to the unions.

These followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by the chairman, House Committee on University Education, Hon. Abubakar Fulata (APC, Jigawa) at plenary, yesterday.

Moving the motion, Fulata noted that Nigerian tertiary education sub-sector has witnessed unprecedented strike actions over the last three decades as a result of disagreements and non-implementation of agreements, memorandum of understanding, most especially, the 2009 agreement and such other agreements reached between the federal government and the unions.

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He expressed worry that strike actions have continued to distort both the academic activities and calendar, thereby negatively affecting the early and timely completion of academic programmes and by extension, the future of students.

„This and other issues such as poor funding of public tertiary institutions in the education sub-sector, resulted in a growing demand for foreign owned and private universities in the country which is characterised by illicit activities including certificate racketeering.

„Also, the actions have negative effects on the realization of the missions and visions set by the government with the possible consequences on our economic and technological advancement.

„Most of the demands by the unions which include the provision of infrastructural facilities, teaching aids and equipment, proper remuneration, welfare and allowances especially earned allowances, conducive working environment, are genuine and implementable which will forthwith, avert any reoccurrence of strike actions in our tertiary institutions,“ he said.

Fulata noted that if not properly handled and resolved amicably, is capable of further aggravating the impasse and distorting academic activities with the attendant proliferation of social vices, economic and security consequences to the country.

The former chairman, House Committee on Rules and Business stressed that the country does not need another strike in order to address the problems of the unions.