An
end appears to be in sight to the nationwide strike by the Academic
Staff Union of Universities as parties involved in the dispute are said
to have reached understanding.
A source in the Ministry of Education
told our correspondent in Abuja on Wednesday that the Federal Government
was putting finishing touches to meeting some of the “reasonable”
demands of ASUU.
The source, who craved anonymity because
he was not authorised to speak to the media on the issue, noted that
government was determined to end the deadlock within a “week or two.”
He explained that most of the issues
would have been resolved before now but for the nationwide strike
embarked by Labour and civil society groups over the removal of fuel
subsidy.
He said “On our part, we have been
working round the clock to end the strike, which we are hopeful will end
within a week or two at the most.
“I can confirm to you that government
has already agreed to meet some of the reasonable demands of ASUU like
the reconstitution of boards and councils and the issue of the legal
framework regarding the retirement age of Professors and the like. We
are making reasonable progress.”
National President of ASUU, Prof.
Ukachukwu Awuzie, in a separate telephone interview with our
correspondent in Abuja, confirmed that progress was being made.
He explained that discussions started before the nationwide strike began.
According to him, the leadership of ASUU
has met with government at the ministerial level as well as at the
level of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
He said, “Some understanding has been
reached. Every party is interested in ending the dispute and we are
working towards achieving this.”
Source: Punch Newspaper
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