IPPIS: FG considers ASUU’s request, subjects UTAS to integrity test

The Federal Government, yesterday, said it may adopt the University Transparency Account System (UTAS) being presented by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) as alternative payment platform to the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).

Addressing reporters after about two and half hours closed door meeting with Senate leadership, the Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige, said UTAS is home grown and worth given thorough assessment test.

The meeting was at the instance of the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan to resolve the lingering crisis between the Federal Government and ASUU.

Ngige said the meeting agreed to give required consideration to the UTAS as a way of finding lasting solution to the lingering crisis over implementation of IPPIS.

“We have neither jettisoned the implementation of the IPPIS nor fully accepted UTAS. The level we are now is to subject UTAS to integrity test and in doing so, it will be presented to users like the office of the Accountant General of the Federation on Wednesday.

“After that, it will be sent to the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and office of the National Security Adviser for second look,” he said.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Tertiary Education and Tetfund, Senator Ahmad Baba Kaita, said the interface had not ended but a stage of compromise is getting closer between the two parties.

Eerlier before the meeting went into closed door, Senate President Ahmad Lawan said the current impasse between ASUU and the Federal Government is an ill-wind that will not do any of the two parties any good.

The Senate President asked the two parties to find a middle ground to resolve their differences. “It has to be a win-win situation,” Lawan said.

Also present at the meeting were the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu and the Accountant General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris and ASUU representatives.