By Patience Dombin, Jos
The Minister of Education Adamu Adamu ,has said that the federal government is ready to reach an agreement with the striking university lectures.
Adamu stated this on Wednesday while briefing news men after the Federal Executive Council meeting at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The minister said, he was surprised that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), go on strike even when the government was addressing the issues they raised.
“Unfortunately, they have gone on strike and I am looking for them because all the issues raised, were being addressed.
“The last thing that happened was that our committee looked at their demands, but there were negotiation ongoing” he said .
Adamu assures that the federal government is ready to meet and deliberate on all issues.
He also expressed concern that if after so many meetings and the gap of understanding seem to be still wide, then it is not the fault of the government.
On the need to reach an agreement between, he maintained that there is always a solution to every problem.
“There is a solution to this, the negotiation are the solution and that is why I have said that I am surprised that ASUU has gone on strike”he said.
He said ASUU submitted a draft agreement which the ministry is looking at.
“A committee is looking at it, immediately it finishes, government will announce what it has accepted.
“Then suddenly I heard them going on strike. We want a peaceful resolution” he said.
Adamu expressed his dismay on several accusations by ASUU and claims that he had consistently shunned the negotiation meetings.
He debunked the allegation that the government does not want a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
