In a bid to bring a quick end to the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the House of Representatives, yesterday gave indication of National Assembly’s readiness to approve the supplementary budget needed by the Federal Government to meet the demands of the striking lecturers.
However, the Speaker, Hon Aminu Tambuwal said that ASUU must demonstrate enough patriotism in the interest of the generality of Nigerians. Specifically, Tambuwal urged the lecturers to sheathe their swords and resolve the strike which has shut down government-owned universities for four months.
Tambuwal stated these when he was being briefed by the Aminu Suleiman-led House Committee on Education which was assigned to investigate the conflict. The speaker, appealed to both parties (ASUU and FG) to put the interests of Nigerian students and the future of the nation’s education above all other considerations. He disclosed that the National Assembly was ready to offer budgetary intervention when the need arises, with a view to speedily resolve the problem, which, according to him, has lingered for too long.
He said: “Let me use this opportunity to appeal to both the executive arm and the authorities of ASUU to quickly resolve the problem. And if there is need for any appropriation, the House will expeditiously assent to it in the interests of our students and the nation.”
Meanwhile, the Lower Chamber has directed its Committees on Police Affairs, Federal Road Safety Corps, and Justice, to investigate the desirability of the Biometric Central Motor Registration (BCMR) by the Nigerian Police. The Police had last month, announced the introduction of its new Biometric Central Motor Registration, BCMR, which it claimed, would help the Force to fight terrorism, kidnapping and car theft. For these, motorists, tricycle and motorbike owners will be required to pay N3,500 into the coffers of the Police.
Adopting the prayers of a motion on the matter introduced by Hassan Saleh and 26 other lawmakers, the House expressed concern that the Police was seeking to duplicate what the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) is already doing. While noting that the idea is laudable, especially in the wake of the spate of crime in the country, the House, however, said that Nigerian Police could not justify the scheme it is seeking to implement, based on those claims since the FRSC is already capturing the biometric data of all motorists in the country.
While introducing the motion, Saleh had pointed out that “ordinarily any measure that will enhance security of lives and property ought to be welcomed.” He however, said that the Police’s venture is unnecessary, noting that government owe Nigerians the sacred duty to protect them from any form of exploitation.
“While Nigerians are grappling with how to come to terms with the high cost of obtaining the new drivers licence and renewal of their old number plates which costs are on the high side, the Nigerian Police pretends to be unaware that the FRSC is presently collating biometrics details of all motorists in the country,” Saleh said.
Culled from Sunnewspaper
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