Lagos State House of Assembly has tasked the Federal Government to adhere to an agreement it reached with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on the payment of their earned allowance, which include work-load responsibility allowance amongst others.
The House noted that the agreement was to enhance the welfare of university teachers in the country, and “should not be treated with kid gloves, but as priority of the Federal Government.”
In reaction to the nationwide strike declared by ASUU on Monday, the lawmakers said it was disheartening that President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, through the Federal Ministries of Education and Finance did not prioritize the welfare of the university teachers, while formulating the 2013 appropriation bill.
The Assembly blamed Federal Government for its non-committance to the 2011 truce with ASUU till it results into another round of industrial action.
In a statement signed by the spokesman and House Committee Chairman on Information, Strategy, Security and Publicity, Olusegun Olulade, the House said: “Granted that the N10 billion meant for the payment of the allowance was not accommodated in the 2013 budget, the Federal Government should go ahead and improvise the fund to ensure that the university teachers are paid without any delay whatsoever.”
According to them, “The option of paying a quarter of the money is not only ridiculous but an insult on the sensibilities of the lecturers as well as a demonstration of half-hearted commitment towards their plights,” the statement reads in part.
The lawmakers urged the Federal Government to take a cue from what obtains in other African countries like Ghana and South Africa where university workers have no cause to go on strike, making their academic calendar hitch-free.
They also urged the government to ensure quick resolve of the lecturers’ grievances, adding that further delay would expose undergraduates to indulge in all kinds of anti-social activities such as internet fraud, prostitution, armed robbery as well as political/community violence and brigandage.
Olulade also urged university teachers not to foreclose the option of negotiation and dialogue when and where necessary with a view to reaching a reasonable agreement on the issue.
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