The last has not been heard of the imbroglio ongoing between the Federal government and ASUU as the Federal Government has said that it will explore the provisions in the Labor law and other channels if the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) insists on continuing with its strike action.
This position from the government was disclosed by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige while appearing on a discussion programme on Channels Television, where he also pointed out that the Federal Government has been able to meet 6 out of ASSU’s 9 point demands.
Ngige was, however, hopeful that the dispute with ASUU, who has been on strike for over 7 months, will be resolved when the Federal Government team meets with the union leaders again sometime next week.
The minister said, “Even if countries go to war, at the end of the day they come to the negotiation table. I’m inviting them (ASUU) next week. We are doing side meetings on our part and we are collating everything. I’m collating responses from the Accountant General of the Federation’s Office and everybody who has something to do with this matter.’’
On the likelihood of the lecturers returning to classrooms in the next 1 or 2 weeks, Ngige said, “I’m not looking at that (long) period. I’m an optimist on this matter. By next week, we will conclude this matter. There are so many options left. We have the labor laws and I have options left to me in the labour laws. I have other channels.”