Lawan Wades Into ASUU-FG IPPIS Dispute.
Senate president, Ahmed Lawan, on Monday waded into the dispute between the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the federal government over the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) and other outstanding issues.
Lawan met with a delegation from ASUU led by its president, Professor Biodun Ogunyemi, at the National Assembly to discuss the lingering crisis which has made it difficult for some universities to reopen after the COVID-19 lockdown.
“We really don’t need this kind of situation where our universities are shut. Our children are the victims of this. Therefore, the government and ASUU ought to find a common ground for our institutions, particularly our universities to open and of course, offer the kind of services that are expected of our universities.
“We cannot afford, as a country, to continue to have this kind of crisis. So, I receive you on behalf of my colleagues at the Senate and, indeed, the National Assembly. The idea is to find out how we can resolve this issue.”
The senate president said although there were still many outstanding issues, the parties should imbibe the spirit of give-and-take in resolving the dispute. “Government cannot expect to have it all its way and I believe that ASUU shouldn’t expect it to be that everything it asked for must be given.
“Our situation today is very stressful and I believe that government is supposed to, even within this kind of situation, play its own part. Its obligations must be redeemed within the confines of what we can do.
“But ASUU too, I know, is prepared to meet government halfway somehow because I’m sure we have joint determination to resolve these issues. The National Assembly is the best place to go. On one hand, we are in government, on another hand, we represent the people. We represent you. We represent the families and the children who are at home because the universities are shut.
“And I think, as parliamentarians, we have to tell the truth as it is, no matter how bitter it may be. When we sign agreements, we must do so with full intention of implementing it. And when we negotiate, we must negotiate in such a manner that the final product is implementable.
Ogunyemi said the visit was in furtherance of previous interactions with the senate president. “We are here to solicit your support on the need for the government to urgently address the outstanding issues on our demand list. We hope we will have the supportive weight that we expect from your office,” Ogunyemi said.
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