Lecturers at Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba Akoko (AAUA) in Ondo State have commenced an indefinite strike over the nonpayment of their three months’ outstanding salaries.
The lecturers under the local chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) have also asked the State government for the remittance of seven months’ deductions made in their wages, SaharaReporters can authoritatively report.
A competent source told our correspondent that the State government under the embattled Governor Olusegun Mimiko owed the lecturers salaries for April, May and June 2016. The Mimiko government also refused to remit seven months’ deductions from January 2015 to June 2016 made in their wages this source added.
Sola Fayose, Chairperson of ASUU in the State-owned institution, said the decision to embark on the strike was taken at a Congress meeting held on Monday. Mr. Fayose, in a statement, said the academic staff had to withdraw their services when all entreaties to the State government to pay their salaries were not successful.
“The Congress of ASUU-AAUA met today, Monday, 4th of July, 2016, to get feedback on the consultations the branch initiated with the national office on its request to allow members to withdraw their services following three months’ outstanding salaries and non-remittance of deductions for seven months.
“Having waited in vain these past months to see a positive turnaround, we are left with no other choice than this last resort, as our members have been systematically, financially, psychologically and morally disempowered,” Mr. Fayose said. He added that the leadership of the union has directed all lecturers to withdraw their services with immediate effect.
“The Congress was informed of the approval of the national office to allow members of ASUU-AAUA to withdraw their services until all outstanding salaries [3 months] and deductions [7 months] are fully paid.
“It is hoped that these issues will be resolved soon to allow us to effectively resume the performance of our services to the University,” the chairperson said.
A SaharaReporters correspondent visited the institution on Tuesday and reported that academic activities and lectures for full-time and part-time programs had been suspended.
The strike action began barely five days after the State government approved a one-month subvention for all State-owned tertiary institutions in Ondo State.
A senior lecturer at the institution disclosed to our reporter that the striking lecturers have unanimously agreed not to return to their duty posts for teaching.
He added that the State government under the embattled Governor Olusegun Mimiko was insensitive to their plight as they had been working on empty stomachs.
SOURCE: saharareporters.com
