David Mark Says Negotiators That Signed 2009 Agreement With ASUU Were Incompetent

The Senate President, David Mark, has said that representatives of the Federal Government who signed the 2009 agreement between it and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), were incompetent. Mark stated this while ruling on a motion at Wednesday’s plenary of the Senate brought by the Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba, and co-sponsored by all the Senators.
Mr. Mark observed that the basis upon which the agreement was reached did not reflect fairness and sincerity of purpose on the part of both parties. According to him, the Federal Government ought to have acknowledged from the beginning that the agreement is not implementable because it contains many unrealistic demands.
“Listening to the agreement that was signed by the Federal Government, I was really wondering whether this was signed or it was just a proposal, but it was signed.
“It only shows the level of people the executive sent to go and negotiate on their behalf because abinitio, people must be told the truth, what can be accomplished and what cannot be accomplished,’’ Mr. Mark said.
The Senate President said “but even if you decided immediately after that you cannot accomplish it, I think it is only proper for you to go back and start renegotiating’’.
“But if you prolong it on the basis that you are still going to honour it and you don’t honour it, then it doesn’t portray us in good light.”

“This is where the Federal Government ought to call those who were party to this agreement.’’
The Senate President advised ASUU to shift grounds as soon as possible, adding that failure to do so might make the union to lose the sympathy of Nigerians who had always supported their cause. =====Premium Times