ASUU to FG: Write to us on the deposited N200 Billion

President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Dr. Nasir Isa Fagge, yesterday advised the government to write a letter informing the union of the deposited N200 billion.

The N200 billion is part of the N1.3 trillion demanded by ASUU which was agreed will be paid within six years between this year and 2018.

Government also promised that the funds will be ring-faced.

Reacting to the Presidency’s claim that N200billon had been deposited with the CBN for onward distribution to the universities, Fagge in a telephone interview last night said government should follow the due process and stop briefing reporters instead of writing to ASUU.

He said the letter should contain government’s response to the remaining three of the four conditions given by the union which are: That the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement in 2014 be included in the final document as agreed at the discussion with the President;

•That a non-victimisation clause which is normally captured in all interactions of this nature be included in the final document;

•And that a new Memorandum of Understanding shall be validly endorsed, signed by a representative of government, preferably the Attorney General of the Federation and a representative of ASUU, with the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) as a witness.

“Informing the media when an official letter has not been written to ASUU is a wasted effort. Government should write ASUU officially informing the union of the deposited N200 billion. We are not fools. Government should be able to follow the due process.

“We do not want to leave anything to chances. We understand English and the tactics more than government. After that official letter to ASUU is written containing the remaining three agreed positions, ASUU can respond and decide on when to call off the strike. Nobody can intimidate us.