Business
SSANU, NASU commenced strike today, as ASUU insists on industrial action
The associations stated that the strike was premised on the inconsistencies of the IPPIS in the payment of salaries.
Joint Action Committee of Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) have announced the commencement of a 14-day warning strike, with effect from October 5 to October 19.
This is coming on the heels of the insistence by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to continue with its 6 months old strike over the Integrated Personnel Payroll Information System (IPPIS) and decay in the university system.
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This disclosure was made in a statement jointly signed by the National President, SSANU, Samson Ugwoke; and General Secretary, NASU, Peter Adeyemi.
They stated that the strike was premised on the inconsistencies of the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System in the payment of salaries, and the non-payment of Earned Allowances to members.
Both unions listed some of the issues that led to the strike action, which includes; non-payment of national minimum wage and retirement benefits to our members, the delay in the renegotiation of FGN/NASU and SSANU Agreements, the non-payment of benefits to retired members, as well as academic staff usurping the headship of non-academic units, and poor funding of state universities.
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Part of the statement also read, “Please note that this warning strike is a prelude to a full-blown, total and indefinite industrial action, if the grievances highlighted above are not properly addressed.’’
While addressing Journalists after a joint congress of the 2 unions in front of the University of Lagos Senate building on Friday, the Branch Chairmen of UNILAG chapters of SSANU and NASU, Olusola Sowunmi and Kehinde Ajibade, said they were now rejecting IPPIS because the government refused to take care of the peculiarities of the university system, after it had earlier promised to do so.
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Sowunmi said, “We are disappointed with the turnout of things. The IPPIS failed to meet our expectations and our retired members are not being paid as at when due. Also, we are not being paid the new minimum wage that other agencies of government have been enjoying. The new wage is a matter of law as it was an act of parliament.”
On his own, Ajibade said if the government could find means of paying other workers the new minimum wage, it should also pay them.
He said, “Just as the government has given schools notice of resumption, our National leadership also gave us the notice to announce this warning strike over a month ago. After the two weeks, if nothing is done to address our concerns, we will meet and deliberate on the next line of action.”
Business
No hope in sight to ending or suspending the strike – ASUU
ASUU says the Federal Government is not willing to show commitment to agreements, hence no hope for a speedy end to the strike.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), says there is no hope currently that the strike is ending soon as the Federal Government is not willing to show commitment and has directed its members to seek alternative means of survival.
The Union disclosed this in a social media statement on Tuesday, titled: “ASUU Direct Members to Seek Alternative Means of Survival.”
ASUU Direct Members to Seek Alternative Means of Survival
Part of its press statement made by the Abuja Zone this morning reads:
"Today, we wish to let Nigerians especially our students and parents know that there is no hope in sight to ending or suspending the……..1/3
— Official_ASUU (@ASUUNGR) November 17, 2020
What you should know
Nairametrics reported last week that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) called on the Federal Government to meet its demands without the conditionality of the IPPIS system.
“ASUU disagrees with government on the use of IPPIS during the so-called transition period. In practical terms, there is no transition period if government is sincere,” Prof Ogunyemi, ASUU head said.
The Federal Government said that it will explore the provisions in the Labour law and other channels if the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) insists on continuing with its strike action.
“Today, we wish to let Nigerians especially our students and parents know that there is no hope in sight to ending or suspending the ASUU strike that has lingered for several months as Government is yet to show serious commitment towards addressing our core demands.
“Our members have been advised to seek other legitimate means of survival as the Government has not released salaries withheld since February, 2020,” ASUU said on Tuesday.
Business
FG to launch National Investment Policy to entrench investment friendly environment
The FG is set to launch a National Investment Policy to entrench an investment-friendly environment that supports sustainable development.
The Federal Government has announced it will launch a National Investment Policy, which will entrench an investment-friendly environment that supports the sustainable development aspirations of the country.
This was disclosed during the session on the Development of Nigeria Investment Policy in Abuja on Tuesday by the Director, Investment Promotion Department of the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), Mrs. Olukemi Arodudu.
Mrs. Arodudu revealed that the first phase of the policy is complete through the drafting of a policy template, while the next phase would be engagement with relevant stakeholders.
“To ensure that the Nigeria Investment Policy is widely accepted and serves the interest of every sector of the economy, the second phase is the stakeholders’ engagement.
“Since charity begins at home and this project is an Industry, Trade and Investment sector project, every agency represented here today is considered first-line stakeholders.
“We intend to reflect all your contributions in the policy to produce the second draft, before we take it to our other stakeholders, which include all investment-related MDAs at the Federal level.
“Others include the organized private sector, investment-related MDAs and organized private sector at the state level, as well as development partners,” she said.
She added that Nigeria does not have a current investment policy and that the FG hopes the Investment Policy will develop a business-friendly environment to improve the nation’s economy.
“Currently, Nigeria does not have a comprehensive document that can be called an investment policy. What we have are policies and regulations embedded in the establishing acts and mandates of the several investment-related agencies like Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission, Nigeria Export-Processing Zones Authority and others.
“The present administration realizes that while investment is a primary driver for economic growth, ensuring that it contributes to the nation’s sustainable development goals is of greater importance than just attracting investment.
“It is hoped that the investment policy, when it is completed, will entrench an investment-friendly environment that supports the sustainable development aspirations of the country.
The Director also added that the policy will follow global standards with the aim of structurally transforming Nigeria towards wealth creation.
“It will be in line with international best standards for both domestic and foreign investment and be in harmony with the international protocols to which Nigeria is signatory, without compromising our national development aspirations.
“It will bring about the structural transformation of the Nigerian economy towards job and wealth creation,” she added.
Business
Kano state government awards N1. 24 billion contract for reconstruction of Ahmadu Bello Way
Kano State Government has awarded the contract for the reconstruction of the Ahmadu Bello Way in Kano metropolis, at the cost of N1.24 billion.
The Kano state government has awarded the contract reconstructing Ahmadu Bello Way in Kano metropolis, at the cost of N1.24 billion, to Triacta Nigeria Ltd.
According to a press release issued by the government, Kano state Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, made this known today during the foundation laying ceremony of the road project.
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Governor Ganduje disclosed that the contract involved the expansion of both lanes of the road, construction of culverts, and installations of street lights and pavements, among other things.
He emphasized the importance of the road project, which is part of the strategic plan of the state is to ease transportation problems in Kano city.
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He explained that the project was earlier awarded to a contractor who had defaulted, and as a result, the contract was revoked and re-awarded.
The Governor expressed optimism that with the heavy equipment and personnel mobilized to the site by Triacta Nigeria Ltd, the project would not only be completed soon, but would also stand the test of time.
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In his remarks, the state Commissioner of Works, Alh. Idris Unguwar Rimi, stated that the government had confidence in the ability of the contractor, owing to landmark projects in the state that had been executed by the company.
What they are saying:
Governor Ganduje, during the foundation laying ceremony of the road project, said:
“This road was named to immortalize the late Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello, so it is important that it must be in good shape, not only to facilitate traffic but also to honour the great man.
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“You will recall that some time ago I attended a function at the Saudi Consulate in Kano, whose office complex is along this road, and I made a promise to reconstruct it because of the teeming citizens plying it and because the sprawling neighborhood consists of residential apartments. Today, I am happy this pledge has been fulfilled,” the governor said.
The state Commissioner of Works, Alh. Idris Unguwar Rimi said:
“I am particularly pleased that immediately the company received the contract award letter, it mobilized to site without waiting to collect mobilization fees. This is very commendable.”
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Anonymous
October 6, 2020 at 9:46 am
If I may ask… What does the federal universities lecturers have to offer…. No technology.. No medical improvement,only theory theory theory and copy and paste… Yet they r calling themselves profs and doctors… Illiterate lecturers.. Government should replace them.. Coz they have nothing to offer..
Anonymous
October 6, 2020 at 11:35 am
please this people should help us. What is the essence of education in Nigeria if this remains the nature… All these people their children are schooling abroad and they are here frustrating us. If I had known I wouldn’t have enrolled in the first place, is better to end it in secondary school than this frustration. FG, ASUU and NASU please feel our pains this is too much on us.