HELLO

Hopes of quick resolution of the present face-off between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities were dashed some minutes ago as the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said the government has no resources to meet the union demands. Foreclosing possible truce to the five-week old industrial action that has paralysed academic activities in the nation’s ivory towers, Okonjo-Iwela said the striking university lecturers were asking for #92 billion in extra allowances, maintaining that government lack means of picking the bill. Speaking in Minna at the annual National Council on Finance and Economic Development meeting, the minister said that ASUU demand was coming at a time government was making efforts at reducing the structure of public expenditures. The theme of the meeting is: “Restructuring Nigeria’s Finances.” She said, “At present ASUU wants the government to pay N92 billion in extra allowances when resources are not there and when