NAAT, NASU, SSANU urges FG on payment of N8bn agreement

By Usman Shuaibu

The chairman of the Joint Action Committee (JACK) of the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), Non Academic Staff Union (NASU) and educational institutions as well as the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), University of Abuja branch, Comrade Israel Orokpo, has called on the Federal Government to expedite action on the payment of N8billion agreement reached with the unions across the universities in the country.
Orokpo made the call in an interview with Education Correspondent at the mini campus of the University of Abuja, Gwagwalada, Abuja on Saturday, urging the Federal Government to pay the N8billion to the unions quickly in order to fast track development in Nigerian universities.
He said: “We want the government to response quickly on the payment of N8billion before the deadline of the agreement so that the unions will not look at the government that is not responsible”.
He said the government had already engaged the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) University of Ilorin as well as the University of Nsukka ASUU to share the money to the unions if released.
He pointed out that if the money is released, it would be used for the provision of basic infrastructures for the smooth running of academic works at the universities, provision of equipment and materials for the use of the workers as well as earned allowance for the welfare of the staff.
He further added that the money would be used to carry out meaningful research in most laboratories in Nigerian Universities for the benefit of the students/public among others pressing needs.
This, according to him, a University supposes to be a mover to technological development which will enhance the financial capability of the government because we are handicapped financially.
Orokpo, however, advised the members of the unions to remain calm as well remain committed to their work at their various offices.