King’s College Lagos PPP Concession: FG, Labour Agree To Review Plan Within Two Weeks
ASCSN suspends its strike as FG and labour agree to review the King’s College Lagos PPP concession within two weeks. See the assurances given to workers.
Tension over the proposed Public-Private Partnership (PPP) concession of King’s College, Lagos, has subsided following an agreement between the Federal Government and organised labour to review the contentious concession plan within two weeks.
The development came after the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), together with its parent body, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), held an urgent high-level meeting with the Federal Ministry of Education in Abuja.
The meeting, led by the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, was attended by the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, and the Acting Permanent Secretary, Dr Folake Olatunji David.
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After the meeting, ASCSN declared the immediate suspension of its industrial action over worries about the proposed concession model for King’s College and instructed workers in Federal Unity Colleges nationwide to resume their normal duties.
ASCSN National President, Shehu Mohammed, and Secretary-General, Joshua Apebo, signed the statement announcing the suspension of the industrial action.
We are not perfect. If you have a complaint, correction or question, write to us in the comments section. Thanks for being among our members (Oyatime Education).
Tension over the proposed Public-Private Partnership (PPP) concession of King’s College, Lagos, has subsided following an agreement between the Federal Government and organised labour to review the contentious concession plan within two weeks.
The development came after the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), together with its parent body, the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC), held an urgent high-level meeting with the Federal Ministry of Education in Abuja.
The meeting, led by the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, was attended by the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad, and the Acting Permanent Secretary, Dr Folake Olatunji David.
Also Read: Funke Akindele Sponsors Videographer Juicyjeff To Study Filmmaking At London Film Academy
After the meeting, ASCSN declared the immediate suspension of its industrial action over worries about the proposed concession model for King’s College and instructed workers in Federal Unity Colleges nationwide to resume their normal duties.
ASCSN National President, Shehu Mohammed, and Secretary-General, Joshua Apebo, signed the statement announcing the suspension of the industrial action.
Joint Review Committee Gets Two Weeks
A key outcome of the meeting was the setting up of a seven-member Joint Review Committee made up of representatives of labour and other stakeholders. The committee has been given a maximum of two weeks to look into the concession document presented by the Ministry and recommend amendments to address concerns voiced by stakeholders.Federal Government Assurances To Workers
The Federal Government also gave guarantees on the protection of workers’ interests during the process. According to ASCSN, the Minister of Education gave an “ironclad assurance” that no staff member of King’s College would be victimised through retrenchment, posting or demotion in the course of the exercise. The union, however, said staff would be allowed to decide whether they wished to stay at the college. The Ministry also explained that the Federal Government would keep 100 per cent legal ownership and oversight of King’s College, while public access to the institution would continue in line with existing Federal Government policy. On school fees, the Ministry assured labour that there would be no increase outside the Federal Government’s policy on affordable education applicable to Federal Unity Schools.ASCSN Warns Suspension Is Conditional
ASCSN said the decision to suspend the industrial action was taken in line with the principles of collective bargaining and in recognition of the concessions made by the Federal Government. However, the union warned that the suspension was conditional. It said it would consider resuming the industrial action without further notice if the Joint Review Committee failed to accommodate the concerns raised by labour representatives. The association therefore urged its chapter and unit executives to stay alert and closely watch developments as the committee begins its assignment. The latest development temporarily ends the industrial action while opening a two-week window for the Federal Government and labour to seek common ground on the proposed concession of King’s College. Read also: Post-UTME Fee: Schools Cannot Charge Over ₦2,000 More stories in Education News | King’s College Lagos | ASCSNWe are not perfect. If you have a complaint, correction or question, write to us in the comments section. Thanks for being among our members (Oyatime Education).