The impasse over the ongoing negotiation with the striking Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has finally been laid to rest, as Chris Ngige, Minister of Labour and Employment takes over the reconciliation exercise.
Ngige in a statement issued by Samuel Olowookere, Deputy Director (Press), dispelled the speculations that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has been mandated to head the Federal Government’s negotiation team.
Olowookere explained that Ngige remains the “chief conciliator of industrial disputes in the country and the Minister of Minister of Education whose Ministry is the employer of the university teachers are still leading the talks.
He maintained that the consultation at the office of the Vice President by both Ministers after last Wednesday’s Federal Executive Council meeting was in consolidation of the negotiations so far held with ASUU.
“The Vice President has not taken over the matter. The meeting in his office was in consolidation of negotiations. Engagement of the striking ASUU members is still being handled by Ministers of Labour and Employment and the Minister of Education.
“Issues of strike by an employee is a labour matter. The Minister of Labour and Employment is therefore synergising with his Education counterpart where the strike occured to resolve the dispute.
“Just as the Minister of Labour and Employment led negotiation with the National Association of Resident Doctors in conjunction with the Minister of Health, the same applies in the case of ASUU.
“As a matter of fact, the Minister of Education reported progress on the issue to the Federal Excutive Council and together with the Labour Minister held a meeting with the Vice President subsequently.
“This is normal procedure in government where Ministers report to the President or Vice President to streamline efforts and gains in a given assignment. But that does not entail such assignment is no more being handled by the Minister charged with the responsibility.”
The statement added that the Minister of Labour specifically told reporters that government negotiating team on ASUU strike was to meet with the Vice President.
“It was reporters that interpreted it to mean the Vice President has taken over negotiation,” Olowookere alleged.
KEHINDE AKINTOLA, Abuja
