Ngige: Negotiation with ASUU Continues this Week

Senator Iroegbu in Abuja

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige has dispelled speculations of uncertainty over talks between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

To this end, Ngige assured stakeholders and Nigerians that suspended talks with the union to end the protracted industrial action would continue this week immediately after the Sallah break.

The Minister, in a statement yesterday by the Deputy Director Press, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Samuel Olowookere said he, as the chief conciliator of industrial disputes in the country and the Minister of Education whose Ministry is the employer of the university teachers, are still leading the talks.

In view of its determination to end every disruption in the academic calendar of universities, Ngige informed all stakeholders and the general public that conciliation with the university teachers will resume immediately after the Sallah break as requested by ASUU.

He said the consultation at the office of the Vice President by both Ministers after last Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council meeting was in consolidation of the negotiations so far held with ASUU.

Part of the statement reads: “The Vice President has not taken over the matter. The meeting in his office was in consolidation of negotiations. Engagement of the striking ASUU members is still being handled by Ministers of Labour and Employment and the Minister of Education.

“Issues of strike by an employee is a labour matter. The Minister of Labour and Employment is therefore synergising with his Education counterpart where the strike occurred to resolve the dispute.

“Just as the Minister of Labour and Employment led negotiation with the National Association of Resident Doctors in conjunction with the Minister of Health, the same applies in the case of ASUU.

“As a matter of fact, the Minister of Education reported progress on the issue to the Federal Executive Council and together with the Labour Minister held a meeting with the Vice President subsequently. This is normal procedure in government where Ministers report to the President or Vice President to streamline efforts and gains in a given assignment. But that does not entail such assignment is no more being handled by the Minister charged with the responsibility.”

The statement added that the Minister of Labour specifically told reporters that the government negotiating team on ASUU strike was to meet with the Vice President. “It was reporters that interpreted it to mean the Vice President has taken over negotiation”, it concluded.