The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, has said the Federal Government has released N16.8 billion to settle salary arrears of staff in the country’s tertiary institutions.
He disclosed this during the “6th Edition of the ministerial press briefing’’ held in Abuja.
He said the disbursement was ongoing through the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation.
The minister said government had resolved all issues and awaits the academic unions to also call off their strike in the coming days, especially ASUU and ASUP.
The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has been on strike since December 12, while the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) started Nov.4
According to him, the Federal Government has reached agreement in the following areas: “Review of Polytechnic Act; government awaits the transmittal of the amended document by the National Assembly to Mr. President for his assent.”
Others, he said, were the revitalisation of polytechnics and colleges of education and renegotiation of the 2010 agreements. The minister also said that government had directed the minister of finance to source for additional funding to the tune of N30 billion for the purpose, with particular reference to polytechnics and colleges of education.
“Also for state-owned polytechnics, the National Board for Technical Education has been directed to strengthen its regulatory mechanism including developing a new template for accreditation to address observed weaknesses. And to ensure that proprietors of polytechnics including states and private owners meet their obligations to their staff.
“Again as a demonstration of government’s commitment to continuous dialogue with the staff unions, the ministry will provide alternative funding for the stalled renegotiations in the polytechnics sub-sector.
“The National Board for Technical Education and the National Commission for Colleges of Education have also been directed to ensure compliance with the approved schedules of meetings with their respective unions,’’ he said. (NAN)
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