CBN CONFIRMS FG'S CLAIM ON 200 BILLION NAIRA UNIVERSITIES INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDS AS PRESIDENCY AGAIN CALLS ON ASUU TO END STRIKE

The Central Bank of Nigeria has confirmed that a sum of two hundred billion Naira agreed with the Academic Staff Union of Universities at a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan on the 5th of November ,2013has been fully paid into a Revitalization of Universities Infrastructure Account.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr Doyin Okupe made the CBN letter available to newsmen today in Abuja.

In the letter signed by the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Tunde Lemo and addressed to the Accountant General of the Federation, the apex bank confirmed that the total sum of two hundred billion Naira is the balance in the account as required.

The Letter titled CONFIRMATION OF THE EXCECUTION OF YOUR MANDATE FOR THE CREDIT OF ACCOUNT ON REVITALISATION OF UNIVERSITIES INFRASTRUCTURE ACCOUNT indicate that the sum was paid in three tranches of 129,300,000,000,00k; 20,700,000,000,00k and 50,000,000,000,00k into the account as directed.

While reiterating that the President is fully committed to the implementation of agreements reached with ASUU, Okupe said a Needs Assessment Implementation Committee which has representatives of ASUU on board will be inaugurated tomorrow in order to fast track the utilization of the released funds and tackle infrastructural deficiency in the University system.

According to the Presidential aide, Government has received a number of representations from eminent Nigerians and stakeholders on the need to temper justice with mercy regarding the ultimatum issued to the striking lecturers to resume work or face stiff sanctions.

In the words of Okupe “ Government appreciates the fact that a number of Universities have either resumed academic activities or announced resumption dates in line with the directives earlier issued by the Committee of Pro Chancellors. We appreciate the fact that many chapters of ASUU have resumed work and many more will follow suit shortly. Government is only desirous of normalcy in the educational sector in view of the importance of this sector to the society. Now that evidence has been provided as to the availability of the sum of two hundred billion Naira for immediate disbursement to Universities, we expect that ASUU will call off this strike so that normalcy will fully return to our campuses. This is the only honorable path for our distinguished academics in the present instance.”

He added that Government does not intend to victimize anyone who participates in a legitimate strike action in view of the fact that Nigeria is a signatory to the International Labour Organisation convention which guarantees workers' rights to strikes convened in line with due processes.

Dr Doyin Okupe:
The Central Bank of Nigeria has confirmed that a sum of two hundred billion Naira agreed with the Academic Staff Union of Universities at a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan on the 5th of November ,2013has been fully paid into a Revitalization of Universities Infrastructure Account.

The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr Doyin Okupe made the CBN letter available to newsmen today in Abuja.

In the letter signed by the Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr Tunde Lemo and addressed to the Accountant General of the Federation, the apex bank confirmed that the total sum of two hundred billion Naira is the balance in the account as required.

The Letter titled CONFIRMATION OF THE EXCECUTION OF YOUR MANDATE FOR THE CREDIT OF ACCOUNT ON REVITALISATION OF UNIVERSITIES INFRASTRUCTURE ACCOUNT indicate that the sum was paid in three tranches of 129,300,000,000,00k; 20,700,000,000,00k and 50,000,000,000,00k into the account as directed.

While reiterating that the President is fully committed to the implementation of agreements reached with ASUU, Okupe said a Needs Assessment Implementation Committee which has representatives of ASUU on board will be inaugurated tomorrow in order to fast track the utilization of the released funds and tackle infrastructural deficiency in the University system.

According to the Presidential aide, Government has received a number of representations from eminent Nigerians and stakeholders on the need to temper justice with mercy regarding the ultimatum issued to the striking lecturers to resume work or face stiff sanctions.

In the words of Okupe “ Government appreciates the fact that a number of Universities have either resumed academic activities or announced resumption dates in line with the directives earlier issued by the Committee of Pro Chancellors. We appreciate the fact that many chapters of ASUU have resumed work and many more will follow suit shortly. Government is only desirous of normalcy in the educational sector in view of the importance of this sector to the society. Now that evidence has been provided as to the availability of the sum of two hundred billion Naira for immediate disbursement to Universities, we expect that ASUU will call off this strike so that normalcy will fully return to our campuses. This is the only honorable path for our distinguished academics in the present instance.”

He added that Government does not intend to victimize anyone who participates in a legitimate strike action in view of the fact that Nigeria is a signatory to the International Labour Organisation convention which guarantees workers' rights to strikes convened in line with due processes.

Dr Doyin Okupe