One of the controversial Nigerian Senators, Ali Ndume (APC-Borno South) in lieu of the recent squabble between the Federal Government of Nigeria and ASUU has openly urged the Federal Government to take the initiative to slash some of the salaries of the National Assembly members by 50 percent and then give it to the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, so as to meet their pressing demands.
Ndume had also made this statement while he had been reacting to the alleged half-pay to the ASUU members which had been made in Maiduguri on Thursday.
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The former Senate Leader had also advised the Federal Government of Nigeria to constitute a high-powered standing committee of some respected educationists and patriotic Nigerians to meet with the leadership of ASUU to address the burning issues.
He said, “Even if it means that the National Assembly will reduce sitting allowances or be paid on casual allowances basis whenever they sit at the Lower and upper chambers, by cutting the recurrent expenditure in the budget of the federal lawmakers to settle the ASUU arrears, let it be.
“We only assemble twice or so in a week and get paid as such.”
According to Ndume, civil servants who worked from home during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic were paid their full monthly salaries and allowances.
He said, “So why will the federal government cut university lecturers’ salaries because they went on legitimate strike? Constitutionally, they’re fighting for their rights and privileges.”
Ndume added, “As a matter of priority and as a public servant in the legislative chambers, we do not work, so why don’t you just give us half salaries and then pay ASUU.”
In another report, Jigawa State Governor, Muhammadu Badaru has assured Nigerians that the issues relating to the half salary payment to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), would be addressed legally by all the state governors.
The Governor gave this indication on Thursday while speaking at the official inauguration of the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in Abuja. Badaru explained that his government would continue to support students and stabilise the education sector through NANS.
The governor confirmed that President Muhammadu Buhari was very much aware of the sufferings of the students caused by the ASUU strike and would not allow such situation again.