Nonpayment of Salaries: ASUU Exposes Deception in Governor Alex Otti’s Claims About Abia University Staff Payments | #NwokeukwuMascot

 News 

ASUU Disputes Abia State Government's Claims on University Salary Payments | #NwokeukwuMascot

File Image

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at Abia State University (ABSU) has voiced strong disagreement with the Abia State Government regarding the payment of staff salaries. This conflict arises from recent statements by the state government claiming that university staff have been paid in full.

During an interview with selected journalists, Governor Alex Chioma Otti asserted that ABSU staff had received their salaries. He attributed any delays to issues with the banks rather than the state government. 

Contradicting this, ASUU-ABSU released a statement on Saturday, signed by Dr. Chidi S. Mbah, Chairperson, and Dr. Victor U. Obisike, Secretary, detailing discrepancies in the government's claims. The union stated, “Following the recent statement from the government of Abia State that all Abia State University (ABSU) staff have received their April and May salaries, we, the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, ABSU Chapter, wish to clarify and state the actual situation regarding salary payments at the University.”

The union further noted the “Unexplained deductions” from salaries ranged from 8,000 to 53,000 Naira. Staff with accounts at ABSU Microfinance Bank and teaching staff at Abia State University Teaching Hospital have not received payments for either April or May, causing financial strain and uncertainty.

The statement reads in full, “Contrary to the government’s announcement and news circulating on social media, the reality is starkly different. Only a handful of staff with salary accounts at commercial banks have received their April salary, and even fewer have received their May salary. Alarmingly, there are instances where some staff who received their May salary did not receive their April salary, despite using the same bank”

“Moreover, many of the staff who received either their April or May salary experienced unexplained deductions ranging from eight thousand (8,000) to fifty-three thousand (53,000) Naira from their salary at the source”

“Additionally, the majority of staff whose salary accounts are domiciled with the ABSU Microfinance Bank, along with the teaching staff of Abia State University Teaching Hospital, have not received any payments for either April or May. This situation has caused significant financial strain, panic, and uncertainty among the staff”

”Due to this staggered payment system, the unions within the University cannot ascertain the status of their check-off dues, which are typically deducted at the source of payment”

“Furthermore, it is important to highlight that our eleven months of outstanding salary arrears remain unpaid. Despite repeated assurances, not a single month of these arrears has been settled”

“We urge government officials to refrain from politicizing the issue of salary payments at ABSU, as people’s health, family needs, and critical issues such as workers’ productivity are at stake”

“It is imperative that the government acknowledges the financial hardships faced by university staff and takes immediate action to ensure that all outstanding salaries, including the arrears, are paid promptly and in full”

“We seek transparency and accountability from the government in handling this matter and hope for a swift resolution to alleviate the financial distress faced by the staff of ABSU”

“We appeal to our dear Governor and Visitor to our University, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Oti, OFR, who means well for the only state-owned university and has left a standing instruction to pay all state government workers no later than the 28th of every month, to quickly address this issue by calling the attention of the concerned officials, so as not to truncate his good intentions for the state workforce”The Statement Concluded

As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the Abia State Government will respond to the union's demands and address the ongoing salary issues affecting ABSU staff.