ASUU gives FG two weeks to address concerns

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Calabar Zone said it has given an additional 14-day window to the Federal Government to address its concerns about their welfare.

Recall that ASUU, on August 20, 2024, issued a 21-day ultimatum to the FG for the resolution of all the issues in contention since 2009.

The Federal Government, however, never acceded to the demands of the academic union within the given period.

Addressing a press conference in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital, on Monday, the Zonal (Calabar Zone) Coordinator of ASUU, Happiness Uduk, an Associate Professor, explained that nothing meaningful has been done by the FG within the 21-day ultimatum, except for frivolous meetings “in which government agents were more concerned with receiving allowances from taxpayers’ money.”

ASUU said that after the expiration of the 14-day window, it would be left with no option but to ask members to proceed to industrial action, urging the public to hold the government accountable if such occurs.

According to the statement, “In view of current realities in the dysfunctional relationship between the Federal Government and ASUU, the Union resolved to give the government a 14 more days ultimatum to the earlier 21 days, beginning from Monday, September 23, 2024, within which all issues must have been totally addressed to the satisfaction of our poorly treated members.

“Our Union will withdraw services and should not be held responsible for the breakdown in industrial harmony that will arise as a result of the government’s insensitivity, insincerity, indifference, and time-buying tactics. The Union calls on those in authority, as well as their agents, to seize this window to forestall the looming crisis. Hold government responsible! We hereby encourage members that, though the road is rough, victory is assured because there is no going back.”

Prof Uduk, however, highlighted the 10 issues in contention, which include the renegotiation of the 2009 ASUU/FGN agreement; the release of withheld salaries from the 2022 strike; the release of unpaid salaries for staff on sabbatical, part-time, and adjunct; and the release of outstanding third-party deductions such as check-off dues and cooperative contributions by members, which were captured in the 2023 Federal budget; payment of Earned Academic Allowances; and the implementation of the University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS) to replace the controversial Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).

Others include addressing the proliferation of universities without adequate funding; implementation of the Report of Visitation Panels to universities; and funding for the revitalization of public universities, partly captured in the 2023 Federal Government budget.

Uduk observed that despite a court order and presidential directive in December 2023 mandating the adoption of UTAS, the government has refused to implement the solution, opting instead for IPPIS, which has created severe financial irregularities.

“It is difficult for any university worker to know their exact salary. Salaries fluctuate monthly, and third-party deductions are released inconsistently, leaving members in financial disarray,” Uduk noted.

The Zonal Coordinator was flanked at the event by Comrade Slessor C. Mbah, Chairperson ASUU ABSU; Comrade Frank Namso Obot, Chairperson ASUU AKSU; Comrade Ikechuku O. Igwenyi, Chairperson ASUU EBSU; Comrade Patrick Ushie, Chairperson ASUU UNICROSS; Comrade Peter Ubi, Chairperson ASUU UNICAL; and Comrade Opeyemi Olajide, Chairperson ASUU UNIUYO.

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