ASUU accuses FG of aiding poor welfare of students on campuses

AGENE GODWIN, Benin
Umbrella body of Nigerian tertiary level teachers, the Academic Staff Union of Universities, (ASUU), has accused the federal government of contributing to the threat to peace in the Nigerian university system, decay of infrastructure and poor welfare of student on campuses in tertiary institutions .
Zonal Co-ordinator, ASUU, Benin Zone,Prof. Anthony Monye-Emina in a statement signed and made available to news men, Thursday, in Benin City, said it is unfortunate and a sad development that the federal government has not been sending enough money to pay salaries in its universities.
“In universities where full salary is seemingly paid, deductions for co-operative societies, welfare associations, union dues and so on, come in arrears. This implies that such deductions are accumulated to be able to make full payment of salary in subsequent months after which remittance is made.
“In essence, university staff savings is what is used to augment the shortfall. It is important to note that this accumulation of deductions/remittances is exclusive of tax deductions. This implies that tax deductions are remitted as at when due to the same government that does not feel obliged to avail the universities the full complement of their allocations. This development is in addition to shortfall in running, operational, logistics and other costs,” Emina said.
Emina reiterated the union’s position noting that the union frowns at and condemns shortfalls in allocation for salary and condemns the non-regular payment and arrears of salary in universities.
He added that most universities are under the burden of severe financial crisis, stressing that reason for this unfortunate development is incomprehensible and the government on its part has not deemed it fit to proffer an explanation or tell when this will cease.
Lamenting the neglect of the Educational sector by the Government, Emina said, the federal government’s promise to inject fund periodically to rehabilitate facilities in the universities, a component of the MoU between the FGN and ASUU which saw the end of the 2013 strike is not being kept.
He expressed dissatisfaction with the way and manner government at all levels are treating matters affecting the universities noting that the university staff are unable to meet their obligations with obvious consequences,” coupled with the already poor state of infrastructures whose present state can be imagined.”
Emina said the use of co-operative, welfare savings and union dues to make up for the shortfalls and the ridiculous handouts in whatever guise in place as salary, is unacceptable, adding that the Union should not be held liable in the event of any crisis in the Nigerian University system.
“The interest of Nigerian governments in the nation’s educational system, particularly in the universities is obvious; destabilization, disruption an ultimate destruction. These desires are indeed looming. The Nigerian public shut down for over six months in the avoidable prolonged and damaging strike of not too long ago; in 2013. This had been preceded by a haphazardly resolved one in 2011/2012. ”
“The academic calendar disrupted, sessions were cut short and lost and lives and time wasted. While the system is yet to fully recover from the damaging effects of that strike, governments, federal and states, are again stoking the embers in order to generate another round of crisis. This time, it may be the worst ever in the history of Nigeria as a nation, “Emina said.