Tragic Toll: More Than 25 AAU-ASUU Members Succumb To Financial Struggles Amidst Prolonged Salary Delays And Unfavorable Policies

Tragic Toll: More Than 25 AAU-ASUU Members Succumb To Financial Struggles Amidst Prolonged Salary Delays And Unfavorable Policies....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) revealed on Thursday that, since 2022, they have tragically lost over 25 members due to severe economic hardship resulting from the alleged non-payment of monthly salaries for the past 26 months………..CONTINUE READING

READ ALSO:https://bushradiogist.com/filmmaker-ugezu-ugezu-calls-for-abolition-of-house-of-representatives-in-light-of-oronsaye-report/

Chairman of the union, Cyril Oziegbe Onogbosele, shared this distressing information during a press conference in Benin City. He emphasized that the deaths were primarily among academic staff, with non-academic staff also experiencing losses. Onogbosele dismissed government claims of salary payment, labeling them as deceptive tactics to divert attention from the genuine struggles faced by the university staff.

Addressing the press, Onogbosele painted a grim picture of the university’s current state, citing the absence of a governing council and substantive principal officers since 2021. He accused the university of enduring a period of zero funding, staff victimization, intimidation, selective salary payments, and the outright denial of salaries to many staff for up to 26 months.

The ASUU chairman condemned what he termed as deliberate non-remittance of staff deductions to unions and welfare/cooperative societies, delays in staff appraisal and promotion, politicization of disciplinary matters, and anti-worker politics within the university. He claimed that the Special Intervention Team (SIT) in charge had employed hunger as a weapon against leaders and staff through salary denial, pay-cuts, witch-hunts, and intimidation.

Onogbosele decried the negative impact of alleged economic hardship and inhuman policies on the university, leading to a significant drop in staff productivity and a decline in student enrollments through the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME).

While asserting that the SIT’s tenure had expired in accordance with the law, Onogbosele urged the state government to urgently constitute a governing council for the university, aligning with global norms. He highlighted other alleged anti-worker policies, including the fraudulent implementation of the Edo Health Insurance Scheme (EDOHIS), Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), and the imposition of access fees for entry into the university premises.

The ASUU chairman lamented the institution’s dire financial crisis, attributing it to a significant reduction in the state government’s subvention from N270 million before Governor Obaseki’s administration to a mere N41.3 million. Efforts to obtain a response from the university authorities were unsuccessful as they were reportedly engaged in a crucial meeting. Calls to Mr. Austin Osakue, a member of the SIT accused of taking over team affairs, went unanswered.

For more information join our WhatsApp group by clicking the link here: WhatsApp Group Invite