University workers demand N50b earned allowances
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has asked the Federal Government to release N50 billion for the payment of outstanding earned allowances for university-based unions.
The workers made the demand in a communique issued at the end of its 42nd regular National Executive Council meeting/workshop at the University of Calabar, Cross River State.
In the communique signed by SSANU National President, Mohammed Haruna Ibrahim, on Sunday in Abuja, the University workers also insisted on the payment of its four months’ arrears during the last strike.
The union also lamented the non-payment of arrears of the new national minimum wage to its members.
It said its members some universities were being owed arrears of minimum wage.
It listed the universities as Federal University Otuoke; Micheal Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike; Federal University, Dutsima; Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi; Federal University, Gashua, Yobe; Federal University Kashere; University of Maiduguri; Modibo Adama University, Yola and University of Benin, Benin.
SSANU also said it was “deeply peeved by the nonchalant and detached attitude of the Federal Government towards the long-standing issue of renegotiating the 2009 Agreement.”
According to the union, the renegotiation of the agreement is overdue by 12 years.
“This is against the statutory three (3) years agreed for periodic review. It is most disheartening and appalling the way the Federal Government is handling the issue. We are seriously disturbed by the Government’s reluctance, despite SSANU’s readiness in ensuring that this matter is urgently concluded. Since Prof. Nimi D. Brigg’s Committee was constituted, SSANU has earnestly offered itself for the renegotiation process.
“NEC therefore, demands the immediate resumption and conclusion of this exercise without any further delay as the content of the current Agreement has been eroded by the harsh economic situation occasioned by hyperinflation and its effect on workers,” the communique read.
The union also said it was seriously agitated by the unwarranted increase in the pump price of petrol and the deliberate hoarding of petroleum products.
According to SSANU, “this avoidable situation has plunged innocent poor Nigerians into a precarious economic situation, further increasing their hopelessness and frustration fuelled by economic hardship.”
It added: “NEC, therefore, demands the urgent reversal of the pump price to the old price of N180 at least to reduce the biting impact, especially during this yuletide season.”
(Nation)
