We don't have transport fares to go to work - ASUU President

The National President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Prof Emmanuel Osodeke, said members of the body...do not have 'money for transport'.

ASUU President - Prof Emmanuel Osodeke

He revealed this on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics on Sunday while discussing the suspension of the ASUU strike.

Prof Osodeke stated that, unlike in the past, when lecturers resided in staff quarters adjacent to campuses, most lecturers now live far away from school campuses because most institutions cannot accommodate them.

He stated that because they have not been paid for eight months, they will be unable to pay for transportation to their various schools to teach children.

“In colleges back then, every lecturer lived on campus, and you could go to your office, but nowadays, many lecturers live 20, 30 kilometres away from their workplaces.” How will they fund their commute to work?

“These are the concerns that will have to be dealt with by the branches.” We anticipate that the government will pay the money [eighth-month salary arrears] so that these employees can return to work while we negotiate on other matters.”

Confirming the walkout’s suspension, he stated, “we paused the strike with the hope that the government will do the necessary and that by tomorrow, if the universities are open, perhaps, the lecturers will return to work.”

“We are resuming because we are following an industrial court order because the issues have not been entirely handled, and no agreement has been signed.”

“We also hope that, as stated by the Speaker [of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila], we will be able to address this issue in a very short period.”

“Our lecturers will teach, but you can’t expect someone who is due eight months’ salary, possibly from his bank; he has collected more than N1m as a loan, and you haven’t given him a single kobo, and you expect him to go to class and teach.”

“I hope they go there for the sake of the children and do their best.” “You can’t expect a hungry man to go to school and be open-minded.”