AAU
By Dada AYOKHAI
The Ambrose Alli University (AAU) Ekpoma management has issued a response to recent allegations made by the university’s Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) chapter.
The ASUU chapter had claimed that the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sunday Olowo Samuel, stated that all staff arrears had been cleared.
The university’s spokesperson, Otunba Mike Aladenika, Principal Assistant Registrar and Head of Information, Protocol, and Public Relations, has dismissed the ASUU claim as inaccurate, stating it is “far from the truth.”
According to the university’s spokesperson, the Acting Vice-Chancellor’s 31-paragraph statement to journalists highlighted the administration’s commitment to gradually liquidating outstanding salary arrears, but did not claim that all arrears had been fully paid.
In his speech, Professor Samuel highlighted prompt payment of salaries and pensions as a hallmark of his administration, and noted that the university had implemented the new minimum wage of N70,000 as soon as it was approved. Aladenika questioned where ASUU got their information from, given the Acting Vice-Chancellor’s clear statements.
It’s worth noting that when the current administration took over, ASUU members were owed over 35 months in arrears. However, the debt has since been reduced as those owed 35 months and above were paid 10 months emblock in the 1st tranch, while in the 2nd tranch, those owe 20-months and above were also paid 10months salary arrears, emblock. Apart from individuals among them who got paid on personal requests, the payment of the backlogs is still ongoing as various applications on salary arrears are been attended to, demonstrating the management’s commitment to gradual payment.
“On the issue of the 13th month salary, it’s essential to clarify that this has never been a right, but rather a subject of tripartite negotiations between workers, management, and the state government. There has been no prior agreement or understanding on this matter, and it has always been a point of negotiation for our unions.
It’s worth noting that the university has never paid 13 months’ salary in a 12-month financial year. However, this doesn’t mean that the management is opposed to negotiations on the matter. Rather, we believe that it’s essential to approach such discussions in a constructive manner, rather than using it as a bargaining chip for blackmail.
The management is open to negotiations, but we urge all parties to engage in good faith and avoid misrepresentations.”
