FG, ASUU meeting deadlocked …To meet again on Monday

THE hope for resolution of the over one month industrial action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), on Tuesday, was dashed as the ongoing negotiation on payment of academic Earned Allowance was deadlocked.
However, Governor of Benue State and leader of the Federal Government’s negotiation team, Gabriel Suswam, told newsmen after a closed-door meeting with ASUU that the deliberation with the leadership of ASUU was fruitful and that the meeting had been shifted to Monday, next week.
He noted that with the progress made so far “it is hoped that conclusions would be reached next week for ASUU to call off the strike.”
The governor had stated earlier before the meeting that government was determined to resolve the problem “if possible today or shortest possible time.”
According to him, two new actors were introduced-the Finance Minister, Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Director, Budget Office, adding that the discussion was basically on academic earned allowance which had been more protracted.
Suswam, who is the Chairman of the Presidential Universities Needs Assessment Committee, expressed optimism that the issues would soon be resolved going by the progress made so far.
However, ASUU President, Comrade Nasir Isa Fagge, refused to speak with reporters, saying they should meet Governor Suswam, who is the government’s negotiator, for what agreements were reached in the closed door meeting.
Governor Suswam said: “Well,the meeting continues next week Monday. We made some progress, we had very fruitful discussion with ASUU and we have agreed to meet again on Monday at about three o’clock. When we meet again, we will be able to arrive at some conclusions.”
When he was reminded that he had made same promise last week, Suswam said: “No, I said between one and two weeks. There is nothing wrong; you know we introduced some new faces, the minister of finance; you agree with me she is attending the meeting for the first time and also the Director-General, Budget. Now that finance is coming, we are getting close to resolving it.
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