From Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin
Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Benin zone yesterday issued a 14-day ultimatum to the governing council of the institution to address shortfalls and owed arrears of salaries of staff of the universities or face strike.
Addressing newsmen on behalf of the union, zonal coordinator, Prof. Anthony Emina said it has become necessary to let the public know of the new offensive of the governing council and governments against the peace in the nation’s universities.
He said the governing councils of public universities across the country have been paying fractions rather than full salary to workers. According to him, the development has been blamed on the shortfall in and non-release of subventions from governments. He said some universities could not pay their staff in the previous months while University of Benin and Federal University of Petroleum Resources were only able to meet up with 80 percent of their monthly salary.
He said while the federal universities are passing through a tough time, the state universities like Ondo State University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko and others were worse hit, noting that some of the staff from those institutions have been working for six to seven months without salary.
He said Edo State-owned Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma has been on shortfall in subvention for the payment of salary for the time being.
He also noted that with several other challenges, these institutions are neither in any position nor have the capacity to make up for the shortfalls and pay salary as at when due.