Ini Billie, Uyo
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has threatened that it would not hesitate to embark on another strike if the Federal Government fails to review their salary and fund universities.
Speaking on Monday in Uyo during a press conference, Chairman, ASUU Calabar Zone, Comrade Happiness Uduk who spoke on behalf of the Chairpersons of Abia State University, Akwa Ibom State University, Ebonyi State University, Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, University of Cross River State, University of Calabar and the University of Uyo said the salary of university lecturers does not reflect the current economic realities.
Uduk explained that the salaries of university lecturers have not been reviewed in the last 15 years whereas that of legislators, the Nigerian Police, Armed Forces, Judiciary and other agencies and parastatals have been renegotiated almost three times within the same period.
She lamented that 11 years after the first tranche of N200 billion was released out of the N1.3 trillion promised by the Federal Government in 2013 to revitalize public universities, no other money has been released, yet the government spent N90 billion on pilgrimage, ignoring the crisis in the education sector.
The union further opposed the student education loan, saying it was taxpayers’ money that they hope to use to enslave would-be beneficiaries and make them indebted to the country forever.
The union urged the federal government to use the proposed funds to intervene in tertiary education that would make higher institutions self-reliant and tertiary education highly subsidized.
“We are glad to note that External members of Federal University Councils have been appointed but there should be a minimum qualification as well as age limits to enable the appointment of sound academics who are in tune with the dynamics of university education.
“We also appreciate the exclusion of tertiary institutions from IPPIS despite the colossal and irreversible damage it has done to the system and our struggles.
“We insist on immediate conclusion and implementation of renegotiation and funding for the revitalization of all public universities in Nigeria due to the multiplier effect in national health. food sufficiency, security, job creation. technological advancement, growth and development.
“Government and her agencies should take time to read the Act establishing universities and stop interfering and threatening the autonomy of universities, especially in terms of policy, academic planning and administration.
“State Governments are hereby advised to stop interfering with the administration of State-owned Universities and suspended members in Ebonyi State University should be recalled in obedience to the declarations and orders of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria.
“Government and the National Assembly should expedite action on the amendment of the NUC Act to check unnecessary proliferation of state-owned and private universities.
“The outstanding salaries of academics in all institutions should be paid without delay to ensure industrial harmony. Let us make it clear that we shall leave no stone unturned until victory is achieved and our institutions emancipated from the strangulating policies of World Bank and IMF,” the group stated.