In new peace moves, FG exempts ASUU from IPPIS, raises allowances, revitalization fund to N65bn

In new peace moves, FG exempts ASUU from IPPIS, raises allowances, revitalization fund to N65bn

The Federal Government decided to exempt the union from the controversial Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) and allow  university lecturers to develop their own payment platform, the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS).

Government also agreed to ASUU’s demand to pay their members’ salary arrears from February to June through the old salary payment platform – the Government Integrated Financial and Management Information System; and raise the Earned Academic Allowances to university staff from N30bn to N35bn and the revitalisation fund from N20bn to N25bn..

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Cumulatively, the government, through the Accountant -General of the Federation, offered the lectures N65 billion to call off their eight-month old strike.

Labour and Employment Minister Chris Ngige read the communique at the end of a seven-hour negotiation with ASUU members in Abuja.

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The funds would be shared by all the registered trade unions in the universities after providing necessary evidence of having earned the allowance.

He said “Responding to the demand for immediate payment of 50% of the initial amount allotted for the purpose (revitalisation) which translates to N110 billion, the FG stated that this is not possible because of paucity of funds.

“The government, however, offered to pay N25 billion based on the Memorandum of Action (MoA) of 7th February, 2019 signed with ASUU or in the alternative, urged ASUU to accept N30 billion with the reduction in the earlier Earned Allowances.

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Between the revitalisation and earned allowances, the FG has offered a cumulative sum of N65 billion.

“The Accountant-General of the Federation offered to immediately release N40 billion or in the alternative N35 billion to be shared by all the registered Trade Unions in the universities after providing the necessary evidence of having earned the allowance.

“The FG reiterated that her offer of N40 billion or 35 billion whichever is accepted by ASUU was for all the universities unions: ASUU had proposed that N40 billion be paid immediately for all unions,” the communique said.

The breakthrough in negotiations is expected to end the eight-month strike embarked on by the university lecturers.

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Before the new offer by government, ASUU had demanded N110 billion for the revitalization which should be paid in tranches.

The union also told the government that the N30 billion EAA was for only ASUU members, a position the government rejected, citing lack of funds to meet ASUU’s financial demands.

Also speaking, ASUU president, Prof. Biodun Ogunyemi, said that the union had received the latest proposals by the federal government and that it would go and consult with its organs before taking a position.

The meeting was therefore adjourned till next week, Friday.

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