Akwa State University commences indefinite strike over unpaid salaries, other entitlements
Staff of Akwa Ibom State University have commenced indefinite strike action to press home their demands.
The staff who were drawn from Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU) and National Association of Technologists in Engineering ( NATE)
pricated the gate of the institution on Monday.
They noting that they are embarking on the industrial action over 11 months unpaid 25 per cent of their salaries, non payment of promotion arrears and leave grant.
Speaking on behalf of the staff, Chairman of ASUU, Comrade Ime Okpop noted that their grievances stem from the fact that their salaries were unilaterally cut off without negotiation or consent from workers.
He said despite the fact that 75 per cent of the salary was paid with Minimum wage not implemented, the management of the institution did not find it necessary to give them explanation on the reason behind the development.
Okpop noted that when staff of the institution protested in February 2020, the management rushed to pay full March salary with Minimum wage included but thereafter, they returned to paying 75 percent of their salaries.
Okpop added ” We use to receive our leave grant. But in the last two years, we have been struggling to get it even when the Governor have approved it. This year, we have not gotten it. The Governor has paid almost everyone leave grant but we have not gotten it.”
” Another problem is that when you are promoted from a particular grade to another, there is no salary increment. At such, we can’t work here and pretend. We have made the governor to be aware of it yet he has not made any policy statement about it.”
” Till date, the Vice Chancellor has not called a congregation to address us. The whole problem was ochestrated by the former Vice Chancellor who is now the Commissioner for Works”.
On the part of the Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress, Akwa Ibom State Council, Comrade Sunny James, he wondered why the problem is still lingering two months after the Committee instituted to address the institution’s problem had made recommendations through its White Paper to the State Executive Council.
He said ” The recommendations we gave were discussed at Exco. That the matter is still pending is condemnable and totally unacceptable.”
The NLC Chairman fingered the Immediate Past Vice Chancellor of the Institution, Prof Eno Ibanga for causing the problem faced in AKSU through lack of accountability in the finances of the institution.
He added ” I can tell you that even the Akwa Ibom State Government does not know the number of workers in the institution. The Committee asked the management to supply the Committee with the figure and numbers of staff.”
“Figures from the Bursar, Registrar and Vice Chancellor were different. The eight Faculties supplied the number of students per faculty in comparison with the portal, it was at variance with more than a thousand.”
Comrade James charged the staff to be united in their struggle thus record success in having their grievances addressed.
Attempts to speak with the Vice Chancellor of Akwa Ibom State University, Prof Nse Essien were unsuccessful as he did not respond to calls, WhatsApp and text messages sent to his known phone line, as of press time.
