BY LEVI JOHNSON
Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige, has said that the Federal Government is planning to merge the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) and the University Transparency and Account System (UTAS).
The University Transparency and Account System (UTAS) which was developed by university lecturers has been in use for years before the introduction of IPPIS.
He stated this during a meeting between the Federal Government and the leadership of ASUU in Abuja. While the federal government representatives were headed by Dr Chris Ngige, Professor Biodun Ogunyemi led the ASUU representatives.
Ngige said the government called the meeting because of the two-week warning strike declared by the leadership of ASUU.
He, however, faulted ASUU for not properly informing the government of its decision to withdraw services from the universities as prescribed by the provisions of industrial relations.
Addressing the journalists, Ngige said both sides debated where necessary by putting forward their points.
Ngige’s words: “We had a fulfilling discussion. Where necessary, we debated and put forward our points on both sides.
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”We used the Memorandum of Action which we entered into in February 2019 and looked at issues that were not fully addressed.
”We moved to the non-caption of some ASUU members on the IPPIS platform which resulted in the withholding of their salaries.
“Both sides realised we are working for our country. ASUU already has the University Transparency and Account System. We had a preliminary agreement to accommodate the two systems.
“ASUU will have to get back to its members and agree on how to couple the two systems.
“We will continue the discussion. After ASUU consults with its members and decision making authority, we will meet on Monday or Tuesday.”
