FG has released funds to pay NASU salaries and retirees’ benefits.
Glamtush reports that the Federal Government has released funds to settle outstanding salaries owed to members of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Federal Universities and pay benefits to retirees under the Nigerian Union of Pensioners Contributory Pension Scheme Sector (NUPCPS).
This online news platform understands that the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) made this known in a statement in Abuja on Saturday.
In the statement by Bawa Mokwa, Director, Press and Public Relations, the OAGF confirmed that payments to NASU members have commenced, with many already confirming receipt.
The statement read, “The Federal Government has released funds for payment of withheld salary of Non-Academic Staff Union of Federal Universities.
“According to the OAGF, the Federal Government has also released funds for payment of benefits to retirees under the Nigerian Union of Pensioners Contributory Pension Scheme Sector.
“The OAGF said payments to the Non-Academic Staff of Federal Universities had commenced and many have confirmed receipt.”
The OAGF reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to the welfare of Nigerian workers and retirees.
On Monday, the Joint Action Committee of SSANU and NASU embarked on an indefinite strike over its four months of withheld salary.
Since then, activities have been grounded in universities across the country.
Some of the issues that led to the industrial action, according to the unions, include problems of inconsistencies in payment with the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), non-payment of earned allowances, and non-payment of arrears of national minimum wage and consequential adjustment, among others.
NASU and SSANU faulted the government for failing to implement an agreement it freely entered into with the unions.
They also called on Nigerians and stakeholders in the university system to prevail on the government to honour the agreement to avoid a ‘total breakdown of industrial harmony in the universities and inter-university centres.
However, the statement by the OAGF did not mention payment for members of the SSANU.
