Lucky Obukohwo, Reporting
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Ambrose Alli University Ekpoma chapter, has called on the Visitor to Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma and Governor of Edo State, Mr. Godwin Obaseki to honour his public pronouncement to dissolve the Special Intervention Team (SIT) and constitute a Governing Council for the University within 90 days.
It would be recall that governor Obaseki had at the stakeholders’ meeting on crises in the University held on 16th March, 2023 gave 90 days ultimatum to the SIT to wind up its activities to pave way for the constitution of a Governing Council for the University.
The governor had also announced the inauguration on a Special Panel on the crises in the University.
ASUU maintained that it is worrisome to observe that far more than 90 days, the pronouncement was made by the Visitor to the University, the University has continued to experience negative policies, actions and activities of the University Administration/SIT.
The Union has said that the governor should not been seen as going going back on his words to constitute a Governing Council for the University in consonance with the law, university tradition and best global practice.
In a statement signed by Dr. Cyril Onogbosele and Dr. William Odion, Chairperson and Assistant Secretary of the University’s chapter of ASUU respectively and made available to newsmen in Benin, the Union expressed shock and sadness over the non-implementation of the decisions taken at the stakeholders’ meeting.
According to the Union, the development smacks of unseriousness and insensitivity to the acclaimed genuine effort to reposition the University and the Governor’s avowed promise not to play politics with the continued existence of the University.
The Union also expressed displeasure at the payment of salaries of staff in the University still characterized by selectivity, pay-cut, unauthorized deductions and lack of regular pay slips.
According to the Union, some academic staff who are members of the Union have been unjustly denied payment of salaries for up to 18 months.
ASUU also decried the denial of staff of appraisal/promotions embargoed by the University Administration for many years.
The Union described the annual denial of staff of promotions by the University Administration as unjust and antithetical to productivity.
The Union urged the governor to direct the implementation of his decisions at the stakeholders’ meeting of 16th March, 2023 in order to halt selective payment of staff salaries by the University Administration and on other critical issues affecting the University.