Anti-Corruption crusader, Dino Melaye, has given the federal government a week ultimatum within which to resolve the ongoing Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU crisis after which he would be compelled to mobilize parents and students to the streets for protest.
In a statement on Wednesday, Mr. Melaye wondered what is taking government this long to attend to the need of the lecturers in the interest of the nation.
Speaking from experience as a former lawmaker, he said that federal government could secure funds through ‘virement’ to meet the demands of the lecturers, noting that it is incumbent upon government to honour the 2009 agreements.
“Why would the Federal Government enter into an agreement they don’t intend to implement? So we are giving them one week of grace and if by Friday next week, the Federal Government did not resolve its crisis with ASUU, we will mobilize Nigerians, students and parents from every facet of our life to be on the streets to protest against this reckless and irresponsible government.
“For emphasis, we are giving the Federal Government one week of grace concerning the ASUU strike. By Friday next week, if the Federal Government refuses to resolve the ASUU crisis, we will mobilize parents and students across the country and protest to the Federal Ministry of Education where we will register our protest against an insensitive government,” the statement reads in part.
According to former member of the House of Representatives and Executive Secretary, “If the Federal Government is serious, there is something in the parliament that is called virement. There are lots of contracts that have been budgeted for in this dispensation that they have not even started in this month of September.
“All the Federal Government needed to do is for the President to write the National Assembly and seek for a or even take a loan. They can spend money on frivolities; they can spend money on very many unreasonable things. But the Federal Government cannot source for N92 Billion.
“Above all the Federal Government has shown that is is not a responsible government. The Federal Government as far back as 2009 went into an agreement with ASUU and signed that agreement. Why will you agree to what you don’t intend to do? A gentleman will go into an agreement and then carry out the agreement to the latter. The agreement was made in 2009; why was there no budgetary provision for that agreement in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013?,” he queried.
The one week will expire by Friday this week.
