ASUU, citing the government’s failure to reconstitute the Governing Council and poor funding of the Ivory Tower, therefore gave the administration three weeks ultimatum between now and October 1st to resolve all pending issues.
This was contained in a letter of trade dispute addressed to the Visitor of the University signed by the branch chairman of ASUU, Dr. Monday Igbafen and Secretary, Dr. A. A. Aizbioje – Coker which was made available to newsmen in Benin City during the week.
According to ASUU, if the government fails to satisfactorily resolve all contending issues, “ASUU will be free to take any legitimate action in defense of the University.”
The union expressed passionate grief about the failure of the state government to reconstitute the governing council which they noted has led to the absence of the normal check or oversight function(s) expected from Governing Council on the University administration, particularly on possible arbitrariness and infractions on due process.
According to ASUU, “The union has on record of its several visits to the Government House, Benin City and also to the Ministry of Education to interface with the Commissioner for Education on the need to reconstitute the governing council of the University without the desired result.
“It is imperative therefore, to note that the University is being made to run for too long an abnormal bases which the absence of a governing council has created.
“The consequences are legion to the extent that several issues of policy direction, sensitive financial and administrative approvals and decisions that required the final attention of the governing council are either kept on hold or circumvented.
“Instant examples are that the engagement /employment of staff, the annual appraisal and promotion exercise of staff, staff disciplinary processes.
“Tender Board’s approvals and other related issues have not been satisfactorily addressed in accordance with the University laws and traditions since August, 2017.”
The Union claimed that the University is chronically underfunded. It said “the Union is not unaware that the monthly wage bill of the University as at today stands at more than N460millon while the state monthly subvention to the University is N234, 500.00million out of which more than N42million is deducted at source by the government as tax.
“This has imposed serious pressure on the University to source funds internally. The reality in the University therefore, is that when this source runs dry the University resorts to borrowing from banks to pay salaries.”
