The Traffic

ACADEMIC STAFF UNION OF UNIVERSITIES REJECTS FG  LOAN SCHEME, CALLS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF AGREEMENTS. 
Yemi Kosoko, Jos. 
Members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities ASUU, have express concerns over the delay antics and diversionary tactics of the Federal Government towards addressing age long demands and implementation of previous agreements entered by both parties. 
Addressing journalists during the nationwide protest by the Union at Plateau State University premises in Bokkos, ASUU national president Professor Christopher Piwuna urged the Federal Government to honour previous agreements which has been lingering over sixteen years.
“We have been negotiating with this government and with previous governments since 2017 on this same 2009 agreement. One document—if there is any agreement that should go into the Guinness Book of Records, it is this one. Has any negotiation lasted this long? We tried Babalakin; it didn’t work. They brought Munzali Jibril. They brought Nimi Briggs. All these people were nominated by government, not us. Yet, despite their own nominees, and their own written agreements with us, they have refused to abide by it.”
He stated further that for two years, the present administration has not responded to the issues.
“We finished negotiations with this government on the 2009 agreement in December 2023. It is now eight months. The Minister said he never received the document until February. Fine. No issues. But from February till now, what has been done? What has been done from February to now?” Professor Piwuna queries government commitment. 
The ASUU President believes that no country can develop beyond the level of education of its citizens. Hence, the commitment of the academic staff to ensure that tertiary education is accorded the needed attention of funding, development, staff welfare and emoluments for  the nation to  develop; “they must listen. We are ready. We are prepared. We are courageous. We are very, very prepared for action. But let me be clear: we are not eager to take that action. We will not take it if government does what it should do.” 
“We expect to hear from them this week. And if we don’t hear from them, they will hear from us. If they don’t act, if they don’t move, we will move.” The Union leader warned.

In another press conference organised by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, University of Jos branch chairperson Jurbe Molwus condemned the Federal Government Tertiary Institutions Staff Support Fund (TISSF), describing the policy as deceitful and diversionary. 
“Our members do not lack where to find loans; indeed, they are already deep in debt from such loans. What we need now is for government to sign our renegotiated agreement, which will improve our purchasing power and decrease our reliance on debts from cooperative societies. We considered it a poison chalice and direct members to ask our employers the Governing Councils through Vice Chancellors to guarantee the loan. 
“It is needless to add that this government is still owing our members 3½ months salaries for work done. Government should use the money set aside for the loans to defray our withheld salaries and other entitlements. Therefore, our members are advised to stay away from the loan and focus on our legitimate entitlements because it is a bait. This loan will incapacitate university-based Cooperatives societies, and lead to perpetual enslavement of our members. The obvious implication is that after all deductions including our cooperative deductions, nothing would be left for family. Cooperatives have hitherto been our lifeline hence, hardly will you find many of our members without any ongoing cooperative deductions.” The branch chairperson added.

The Union expressed worrisome that  it may no longer be able to guarantee the industrial harmony that has been enjoyed for over two years in the campuses unless the Federal Government adhered and implement the age long demands and recommendations of various memorandum of understanding.