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The Taraba State University chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a stern warning of an impending indefinite strike if their demands remain unaddressed.
Following a congress meeting convened today, the union fervently calls upon the state government to promptly take substantial actions to redress their grievances. They emphasize the paramount importance of ensuring the institution’s enduring growth and stability or face the imminent threat of industrial unrest.
Speaking to journalists, Mbave Garba, the Chairman of the union, highlighted a range of concerns, which encompass issues such as staff pension and gratuity, salary crises, the failure to implement Law No.4 of the Taraba State House of Assembly regarding funding, delayed payment of earned academic allowances, and the non-implementation of the Memorandum of Action.
The ASUU-TSU Congress expressed significant concerns regarding the non-implementation of Law No. 4 passed by the Taraba State House of Assembly. This legislation delineates several crucial funding mechanisms for the university.
These funding avenues encompass:
- 5% of the monthly state statutory allocation,
- 5% of the monthly allocation from local governments within the state,
- 2.5% of the proceeds from contracts awarded by both state and local governments,
- A 2% contribution from a state education levy levied on charges to hotel guests within the state, and
- Additional funding sources as determined by the university council.
These funding streams are essential for the university’s financial stability and its ability to fulfill its educational mission. The ASUU-TSU Congress emphasizes the urgent need for the implementation of these provisions in Law No. 4 to ensure the university’s continued success and growth.
He further emphasized that the insufficient funding has significantly disrupted the institution’s operations.
Addressing the ongoing salary crisis, he expressed deep concern regarding the university’s inadequate financial support, which has resulted in delayed, irregular, and sometimes partial salary payments.
“In summary, we are owed six full months’ worth of salaries and seven months of fractional payments. It’s worth noting that as of today, our members have not received their salaries for the months of July and August.”
“It is distressing to note that our members are enduring severe economic hardships due to the removal of subsidies, inflationary pressures, and other issues. The general public should be aware that, in addition to various concerns, this has been a significant catalyst for strikes at the state university over the years.”
In response to the failure to implement the Memorandum of Action, the union expressed its dissatisfaction, stating, “The agreement inked on March 18, 2021, involving the Taraba State government, the Taraba State University management, and the ASUU-TSU branch, is profoundly disheartening.”
“The Union’s members are grappling with unmet Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) dating back to 2015, and the government’s stance on staff pension and gratuity remains conspicuously unclear.”
“The promised construction of a perimeter fence, aimed at bolstering the university’s security, has made no headway, in direct contradiction to the MOA. Furthermore, the long-overdue promotion arrears for 2020, 2021, and 2022, along with the annual step increment from October 2020 to July 2021, continue to elude our members,” lamented the ASUU Chairman.
