The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU of the Ambrose Alli University, AAU Ekpoma in Edo State, South-South Nigeria has threatened to call its members out on strike if the State Government and the management of the institution refuse to resolve the issue of payment of all outstanding salaries among other crisis facing the citadel of learning.
ASUU Chairman, Cyril Onogbosele at a media conference in Benin City addressing the “systemic decimation of AAU Ekpoma” alleged that among other issues faced by workers especially the academics are the non-existence of Governing Council, substantive principal officers and selective payment of staff salaries for up to 26 months.
It is no longer news that AAU Ekpoma is in crisis following accusations and counter-accusations between the ASUU and the Special Intervention Team, SIT set up by the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led administration.
The SIT had indicted some lecturers of the institution of wrongdoings in their operations but ASUU has come out to say that the allegations were not only false and misleading but an attempt by to illegally remain in the institution against accepted norms and laws governing the institution.
The AAU ASUU Chairman, Cyril Onogbosele while speaking to journalists accused the SIT of highhandedness in its administration, unleashing different forms of blackmail on the university and its subsequent negative effects on the workers, students and the institution.
The Union in its resolution called on the State Government and the management of the institution to restore an ideal form of the university’s governance structure with the immediate constitution of the Governing Council among other issues.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
