The Federal Government has expressed optimism that the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU) would suspend its on-going nationwide strike as it hopes to resolve the crises.
Dr Clement Illo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, told newsmen in Abuja that government was willing to honour its agreement with the union.
Illo described the a meeting with ASUU, convened by the Senate President, the Committee on Labour and the Committee on Education, as ‘a very positive step’, insisting that the three-hour meeting recorded huge success toward resolving the issues.
“it is still work in progress and we are still meeting tomorrow (Friday) and on Monday,” he said.
“But the indications are very positive that the issues will be resolved as quickly as possible. We are sure of success on Friday but if we did not, then we will definitely succeed by Monday.
“So, the possibility like I said of suspending the strike is still very positive because there is high possibility that the strike would be suspended.
“This is because the issues have been very well articulated and already, there is a focus on how it will be resolved.
“Government would do everything possible to ensure that the process of implementing the agreement was resolved as quick as possible.
“Like I said, it is very positive, why should government not implement something it signed in good faith?”
THEWILL recalls that ASUU had embarked on one-week warning strike to demand the implementation of previous agreements with Federal Government and the removal of universities from the Treasury Single Account (TSA).
However, the Senate met with the union but could not prevent the strike action.
Story by Oputah David
