STRIKE: Why We Have Not Paid ASUU N1Trillion – Minister For Labour Explains | READ DETAILS
The ongoing strike action embarked on by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), may have to continue as the Federal Government of Nigeria has said that it does not have the earlier promised N1.3trillion revitalization fund.
The Minister for Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige said this on Thursday, while featuring on Channels TV.
Recall that ASUU had on Monday, February 14, 2022, embarked on a one month warning strike action over non implementation of agreements it reached with the FG.
According to Ngige, the N1.3trillion fund was promised by former president Goodluck Jonathan’s administration when the federation’s revenue was rich.
Ngige said: “The N1.3trillion you are talking about was promised by the (Goodluck) Jonathan government. Oil was selling between $100 to $120 per barrel then and the revenue of the federation was rich.
He noted that the current government had made some payments to ASUU but has called for a renegotiation as it cannot afford to make a full payment.
“It was promised by that administration and they promised to kickstart the payment. They paid N200 billion which they borrowed from TETFund. They did not take it from the federation account. That payment spiralled even into 2016 — to our regime.
“A committee was set up with ASUU as members. Government said ‘we are going to drop N25billion for you to show you in good faith that we are not talking nonsense.’
“That one was dropped. Again, another money was paid last year because the committee couldn’t come up with anything that will generate funds.
“We don’t have it. The government didn’t say we are going to pay N1.1trillion that is remaining. They said we don’t have this money and under the principle of capacity and ability to pay, let us renegotiate it because TETFund is still there.
“Unless you want us to take money from TETFund and deceive you like it was done in that period” the Minister said.
