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By Kingsley Abavo, Benin
The Academic Staff Union of Universities, (ASUU), Benin zone has appealed to the Edo State Government to increase its subvention to the Ambrose Alli University, AAU Ekpoma.
The increase, it said becomes necessary to arrest what it described as the University’s monumental slide to perfidy.
ASUU Benin Zone comprises: University of Benin, Benin City; Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma; Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko; Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology, Okitipupa; Delta State University, Abraka; Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun and the University of Delta, Agbor.
The Union made the call at a press conference to draw the attention of the State Government and stakeholders in the education sector, to the issues confronting the Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma.
Addressing the press, the Coordinator of the Benin Zone of ASUU, Prof. Fred Esumeh who read from a text signed by all the branch chairmen of the Benin Zone of ASUU, said they want to draw the attention of the Edo State Government and the general public to the critical issues affecting the AAU.
“The crisis of irregular and selective payment of salaries, the administration of the University on an ad-hoc basis, academic fraud, the suppression of staff right and freedom of association, advertisement of vacancies of staff positions/employments, and the controversial and inconclusive biometrics amongst others”.
The Union pointed out, that “the first step towards the restoration of sanity, academic and administrative stability, industrial peace and harmony in the University, is for the State Government to immediately pay all outstanding emoluments of workers including unpaid check-off dues and sundry deductions from the salaries of workers.
“The Edo State Government should approve a bail- out fund for the University and satisfactorily increase the monthly subvention to the University. Due process should guide the recruitment of staff for the University.
“A Governing Council should be restored to the University to pave way for the appointment of substantive Principal Officers.
“The Edo State Government should make haste to release a white paper on the report on the Special Visitation Panel to the University in October, 2020 to deter further embezzlement of the finances of the University and mismanagement of its affairs.
“The constitutional right and freedom of workers to unionize should be respected and protected”.
