The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Sunday, October 11, vowed that the Federal Government will not railroad its members into enrolling in the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS).
This stance from ASUU was a sequel to an earlier mandate issued by the FG which seeks to stop the salaries of university employees, who have not enrolled in the scheme.
In its statement, ASUU described the move as a blackmail to weaken workers and make them enroll on the platform.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Chairman of the University of Port Harcourt Branch of ASUU, Dr Austen Sado, on Sunday.
Sado said that the directive by the government clearly shows that there is something the Federal Government is not telling the people.
He said, “It (directive to stop salaries) clearly shows that there is something the Federal Government is not telling the people. They are not paying us (some lecturers). So, why are they saying by November?
“What they are doing now is just blackmail and threat to see how they would weaken our members; to go and enroll (on IPPIS). People who have not enrolled are not being paid; some people for eight months; some for three, going to four months. I have not been paid salary since July; while some people have not been paid since February”.
Meanwhile, Minister of State, Labour & Employment, Festus Keyamo, alongside the organised labour on Monday, October 12; announced the programmes being instituted to ameliorate the suffering of the Nigerian people; due to the COVID-19 pandemic; with respect to, VAT and electricity billing.
Keyamo also revealed a comprehensive synergy with the NERC; in order to ensure the protection of the power sector and workers therein.
This was contained in a communique co-signed by Keyamo and leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress.
Amongst issues discussed at the meeting are:
- “Using VAT proceeds to temporarily subsidize tariffs whilst the Federal Government Committee will work for two more months to resolve other issues that may substantially affect tariff adjustments.
- “Other immediate reliefs include the provision of six million free meters to Nigerians; salary protection for electricity workers; a mandatory refund for any over-billing during system transition by the Discos; monthly publication by NERC of allowed billing of unmetered customers etc,” the statement reads.
