House of Reps Speaker Assures Lecturers Of Intervention Of President Buhari Over Half Payment Of Salaries

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has assured members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) of intervention of President Muhammadu Buhari  to resolve fresh concern raised over claim of half payment of salaries paid to them by the Federal Government

The speaker who gave the assurance in a statement statement he personally signed in Abuja on Monday, called for calm over the situation, saying  efforts are being made to find lasting solutions to the concerns frequently raised by ASUU 

“When the ASUU called off its industrial action three weeks ago, it meant that academic activities could resume in our nation’s public universities,” he said.

He said the executive and the House of Reps had worked to address the issues that led to the strike, adding that the House is currently working on the 2023 Appropriations Bill.

Gbajabiamila revealed that sum of N170 billion had been provided in the budgetary estimate being considered by the lawmakers, to ensure a better welfare package for university lecturers.

According to him , there is additional N300 billion revitalisation fund included in the budget proposal to improve the infrastructure and operations of the federal universities.

“Furthermore, the House of Reps has convened the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), ASUU and other stakeholders to facilitate the adoption of elements of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) into the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS),” he said.

He said the effort was being supervised by the Chairman of the House Committee on Tertiary Education, Rep. Aminu Suleiman.

Gbajabiamila, however explained that the decision of the presidency not to pay the lectuerers for the eight  months period of strike is inline with provision of the law .

He adding that the decision was  premised on the government’s legitimate interest in preventing moral hazard and discouraging disruptive industrial actions.

The speaker said that intervention had been made to explore the possibility of partial payments to the lecturers, adding that it looked forward to a favourable consideration by the president.

He said  Buhari had manifested his desire to what was prudent and necessary to resolve all outstanding issues.

Gbajabiamila says  the house is convening a national summit on Tertiary Education Reform, adding that it had called for papers and memoranda from members of the public.

He said submissions received as well as expert presentations at the summit would inform the policy recommendations and actions.

Already the lecturers are meeting at their to consider  options to adopt to compel the payment of the outstanding salaries for the period of strike , insisting that the union will not accept no work no pay rules being applied by government