The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)
has confirmed that a sum of N200 billion agreed with the Academic Staff Union
of Universities at a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan on November 5 has
been fully paid into a Revitalization of Universities Infrastructure Account.
The Senior Special Assistant to the
President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, disclosed this today in Abuja,
where he made the CBN letter available to newsmen.
Okupe did not, however, address the
question of the signed statement being demanded by ASUU outlining the terms of
their agreement. A part of the stalemate is that in the past, the government
has failed to implement agreements reached with the union, a mistake ASUU seems
unwilling to repeat.
In the letter signed by the Deputy
Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Tunde Lemo, and addressed to
the Accountant General of the Federation, the apex bank confirmed that the
total sum of N200 billion is the balance in the account, as required.
The Letter titled CONFIRMATION OF
THE EXECUTION OF YOUR MANDATE FOR THE CREDIT OF ACCOUNT ON REVITALISATION OF
UNIVERSITIES INFRASTRUCTURE ACCOUNT indicates that the sum was paid in three
tranches of 129,300,000,000,000k; 20,700,000,000,00k and 50,000,000,000,00k.
While reiterating that the
President is fully committed to the implementation of agreements reached with
ASUU, Okupe said a Needs Assessment Implementation Committee which has
representatives of ASUU on board will be inaugurated tomorrow in order to fast
track the utilization of the released funds and tackle infrastructure
deficiency in the university system.
According to the presidential aide,
the government has received several representations from eminent Nigerians and
stakeholders on the need to temper justice with mercy regarding the ultimatum
issued to the striking lecturers to resume work or face stiff sanctions.
“Government appreciates the fact
that a number of universities have either resumed academic activities or
announced resumption dates in line with the directives earlier issued by the
Committee of Pro Chancellors,”Okupe said. “We appreciate the fact that many
chapters of ASUU have resumed work and many more will follow suit shortly.”
He said the government was desirous
of normalcy in the educational sector in view of the importance of the sector
to the society, adding that with the evidence of the availability of the N200m
for immediate disbursement to the universities, it was expected that ASUU would
call off the strike.
“This is the only honourable path
for our distinguished academics in the present instance,” he threatened.
He added that the government does
not intend to victimize anyone who participates in a legitimate strike action
in view of the fact that Nigeria is a signatory to the International Labour
Organisation convention which guarantees workers’ right to strikes convened in
line with due processes.
A commentator who read Okupe’s statement today said it was unlikely that the threat implied by the Special Adviser was lost on members of ASUU, as it is the government which has extensive credibility problems, not the union, and lacks the right to speak about honour.
A commentator who read Okupe’s statement today said it was unlikely that the threat implied by the Special Adviser was lost on members of ASUU, as it is the government which has extensive credibility problems, not the union, and lacks the right to speak about honour.
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