FG provides N30bn to support university councils

The Federal Government has provided N30 billion to support university
councils in settling the "Earned Allowances" of university workers.
Chief Anyim Pius Anyim, the Secretary to the Government of the
Federation, announced this at a meeting with Pro-Chancellors and Vice
Chancellors of Public Universities.
Anyim said the amount would be disbursed to the various university
councils, which were in position to know, who was entitled to what and
howmuch, after verification.
"From the foregoing, it is obvious that the Federal Government has
demonstrated sufficient commitment to the implementation of the 2009
FG/ASUU (Academic Staff Union of Universities) Agreement.
"By this, it is clear demonstration of commitment to revitalise the
university system, government hereby, urges every staff of the
nation's universities to return to work as all issues are being
resolved.
"With particular reference to the contentious issue of "Earned
Allowance'',every staff of the universities that is so entitled should
verify his claim with his university council and accord get paid.
"President Goodluck Jonathan is fully committed to bringing the
studentsback to school and appreciates the patience of parents and
students.
"Government is making every effort to revitalise the university
system, '' Anyim said.
He said that the government acknowledged the contributions of the
Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) and Senior Staff Association of
Nigerian Universities (SSANU).
The SGF also acknowledged other associations, such as National
Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and other stakeholders.
Earlier, the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa'I, said that
the government was ready to implement all the recommendations,
particularly as it relates to revitalisation of the universities.
Rufa'I said that on the issue of funding and revitalisation, the Needs
Assessment Committee would address infrastructure decay in
universities.
"I want to assure you that this will be done in the next few years.
Also, Prof. Kimse Okoro, the Chairman, Committee of Pro-Chancellors of
Federal Universities, commended the government for its efforts.
Okoro called on chancellors to use the funds judiciously and appealed
to ASUU to show some understanding.
Justice Adolphus Karibi-Whyte, the Chairman, Committee of
Pro-Chancellors of State Universities, said that the institutions
would putmore efforts to ensure that regulations were followed.
Also, Prof. Mohammed Hamise, Chairman of the Committee of
Vice-Chancellors, commended government for the N30 billion to
universitycouncils to defray the arrears of the peculiar allowances
which had remained outstanding.
"The committee regards this as a positive step which, if replicated
over the next two years, would solve the problem of the arrears,'' he
said. (NAN)