RECALL that our Union, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), embarked on a national strike action on February 14, 2022 over some contending issues of funding for revitalization of public universities, unpaid earned academic allowances, proliferation of public universities, non-release of white papers of visitation panels, adoption of the university transparency and accountability solution (UTAS) as a broad spectrum software to stop illegality and provide for an alternative payment platform in the university system and renegotiation of the 2009 Agreement. At the same time, a local strike was approved for the Branch (ASUU, AAU, Ekpoma Chapter) over non-payment of outstanding emoluments (salaries, Union’s check-off dues and sundry deductions) of staff by the University Administration.
We take it for granted that we are all conversant with the happenings about the strike such as the variously failed engagements, interventions and reports which dragged the strike into several months, the National Industrial Court’s ruling directing members of the Union to return to work and the subsequent Court of Appeal’s ruling sustaining same and the landmark intervention by the leadership of the House of Representatives, led by Honourable Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila.
While the House of Representatives sustained its willingness to broker peace between our Union and the Government, the catalogue of issues and demands for which the strike was declared has largely remained unresolved.
The National Executive Council (NEC) of our Union convened an emergency meeting on Thursday, 13th October, 2022 at its National Secretariat, University of Abuja and reviewed the developments and the far-reaching implications of the Court rulings. NEC in its wisdom resolved and directed all members of the Union to resume all services hitherto withdrawn, with effect from 12:01am on Friday, 14th October, 2022.
The ASUU Congress of the Ambrose Alli University (AAU) Ekpoma Chapter met today Monday, 17th October, 2022 and resolved to comply with the decision and directive of the NEC of our Union to return to work.
Consequent upon the above, ASUU AAU, Ekpoma wishes to inform the Edo State Government, the Ambrose Alli University Administration, students, parents/guardians and the general public that its members have returned to work in compliance with the directive of the Union.
Recall also that at our Congress of Wednesday, 12th October, 2022, members resolved to suspend the local strike of 14th February, 2022 over the contending issues of salaries, check-off dues, and other sundry deductions long owed workers of the University when the national strike is suspended.
While reiterating that its members are back to work, the Union expressed sadness that the sundry labour issues that are the causes of the industrial crisis in the University have not been addressed by the University Administration against the express directive of Edo State Government.
The Union chronicled the nagging issues that Edo State Government and the University Administration must decisively deal with in order to restore enduring industrial harmony to the University. They are: the crisis of irregular and selective payment of salaries, the administration of the university on an ad-hoc basis, academic fraud, the suppression of staff right and freedom of association and the controversial and inconclusive biometrics, amongst others.
The Union reiterates that the following demands should be attended to restore lasting peace to the University:
·       All outstanding emoluments (salaries, check-off dues and other deductions) of staff in the University should be paid without further delay.
·       The University Administration and Edo State Government should return to the path of truth, dialogue and sincere commitment to resolution of labour issues.
·       Edo State Government should approve a bail-out fund for the University and satisfactorily increase the monthly subvention of the University.
·       The ongoing cases of academic fraud in the University should be investigated and dealt with decisively.
·       The constitutional right and freedom of workers to unionize should be respected and protected.
·       Due process and transparency should guide the recruitment of staff for the University.
·       The Edo State Government should make haste to release a white paper on the report of the Special Visitation Panel to the University in October 2020 to deter further embezzlement of finances of the University and mismanagement of its affairs.
·       A Governing Council should be restored to the University to pave way for the immediate appointment of substantive principal officers.
We pray that these pending issues would be speedily resolved to restore sanity to the University system for the benefit of all stakeholders.
Dr. Cyril Oziegbe Onogbosele                          Dr. William Odion
Chairperson, ASUU, AAU, Ekpoma                         Assistant Secretary, ASUU, AAU, Ekpoma
For and on behalf of all members of ASUU, AAU, Ekpoma
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