Victor Ezeja
The Federal Government has released funds to offset withheld salaries of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Federal Universities (NASU).
The Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation (OAGF) Director of Press and Public Relations, Mr. Bawa Mokwa, made this known in a statement released in Abuja on Saturday.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelPrime Business Africa reports that this comes five days after NASU and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), began a nationwide strike over withheld salaries.
The OAGF added that the Federal Government also made money available for retiree payments under the Nigerian Union of Pensioners Contributory Pension Scheme Sector (NUPCPS).
According to the OAGF, numerous Federal Universities’ non-academic staff have acknowledged receiving their payments, which have started.
NASU and SSANU commenced the strike on Monday, following a directive from Joint Action Committee of the non-teaching staff unions in universities.
The unions said their action was necessitated by the government’s failure to respond to their demands and series of notices.
READ ALSO: NASU, SSANU Begin Strike Monday Over Withheld Salaries
According to the unions, the inconsistencies in payments with the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), the failure to pay earned allowances, the failure to pay arrears of the national minimum wage and consequential adjustment, and other issues were among the reasons behind the industrial action.
The office reaffirmed its dedication to effectively supporting Nigerian retirees and employees’ well-being.
The statement by the OAGF, however, did not mention payment for members of the SSANU.
Meanwhile, the SSANU President, Mohammed Ibrahim, said that the strike would continue for the next seven days unless the government addressed the grievances raised by the unions.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with seven years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Master's degree in Mass Communication.
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