The Academic Staff Union of Universities has expressed frustration over the prolonged stalemate in negotiations with the Federal Government over key issues affecting university lecturers and the education sector in the country.
In an interview with The PUNCH in Jos, on Sunday, ASUU President, Prof Chris Piwuna, said the union had run out of patience with the government, despite years of promises and discussions.
“We are tired of words and promises,” the ASUU president stated.
Piwuna stressed that the union’s demands were clear and well-articulated, citing the 2009 agreement with the government, which outlines key issues such as conditions of service, autonomy, academic freedom, sustainable funding, and earned academic allowances.
“Our efforts are frustrated by the government. It has been seven years now since we started the renegotiation with the government.
“It has reached a point that something must give way. We either have an agreement or we don’t. We are tired of words and promises of action. Our members can only respond to action,” he said.
The ASUU President stressed that the union believed that the infrastructural decay, demoralised staff, cultism, and quality of education in universities could best be addressed through increased funding and improved remuneration for lecturers.
“We believe that the infrastructural decay, demoralised staff, cultism and quality of education in our universities can best be addressed through increased funding and improved remuneration for our members,” he added.
Piwuna also emphasised the need to include non-teaching staff in salary reviews, stating that it would promote harmony and stabilise the system.
“Let me be clear, non-teaching staff of the university should be carried along as our salaries are reviewed. It will promote harmony and stabilise the system,” he stated.
The ASUU president warned that the government should be prepared for the consequences of not reaching an agreement with the union.
“In the days and weeks ahead, the government should be ready to accept whatever they see,” he said.
Credit: THE PUNCH.
