Senate, ASUU, FG Talks End in Stalemate

The meeting convened yesterday at the instance of Senate Committee on Education to broker a truce between striking Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Federal Government ended in stalemate. It was the second time the intervention by the Senate Committee in the lingering face-off between ASUU and the Federal Government would collapse. Yesterday's meeting was abruptly called off by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education, Senator Joy Emodi, when it became apparent that ASUU and FG were not ready to shift ground. N.B Visit www.campusflava.com for updates and information related to other schools.   An exasperated Emodi said: "I commend the Federal Government team on their understanding in this matter; it is unfortunate that the fates of our children are left to hang on unpatriotic zeal of some individuals; well, here is where we end this meeting, thank you." Both parties had stuck to their respective positions with ASUU insisting that the Federal Government announced an agreement without proper documentation, stressing, "as we talk now, there is no solid evidence of any agreement reached at the negotiating committee meeting." The Union, led by its President, Dr. Ukachukwu Awuzie, said that it wanted strong commitment from government that it would faithfully implement any agreement reached, arguing that the government was paying lips service to the critical issues. Awuzie noted that the grouse of ASUU was that government imposed its stance on the Union rather than observed the due process of placing their offer at the negating council.According to him, "whatever agreement reached must be on paper and on air or news media as the government has done over the increase of 40 percent in the salary."But the government side led by the Minister of Education, Dr. Sam Egwu, agreed to represent its offer of 40% salary increase and other offers at a resumed negotiation meeting for further necessary action as demanded by the ASUU. When the meeting was about settling on a date for resumption of further negotiation, a member of the ASUU team, Dr. Dapo Fashina interjected, with a request that the Senate Committee should commit the government team to make a promise that it will sign any acceptable agreement to both sides reached at the negotiations. It was at this point that Emodi lost her temper and abruptly called off the meeting. Meanwhile, the Industrial Arbitration Panel  (IAP) has directed the ASUU to return to work pending determination of the case before it.  Egwu promised  that government would explore the option of the IAP to deal with the matter.