The management of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Edo State, on Wednesday, has said that the Acting Vice Chancellor of the institution, Professor Sunday Olowo Samuel, did not claim that the school has settled the backlog of salaries.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities in the institution had described as false and misleading, the statement attributed to the Vice Chancellor that the institution has cleared salary backlogs with a monthly subvention of N500 million.
The universityâs ASUU, through a statement signed by its Chairman, Dr. Cyril Onogbosele and Secretary, Dr. William Odion, the Union described as insensitive, untrue and misleading, the disclosure by the University Administration that it had cleared all backlogs of salaries of staff.
Additionally, Dr. Onogbosele and Dr. Odion stated that the Union had written several letters and had several meetings with the University Administration over non-payment of outstanding salaries of many staff for a long time without resolving the matter.
Further, they stated that the University was in default of payment of outstanding salaries of some staff up to 29 months and above, 13th month salary, staff promotion arrears, N70,000 and 25-35 per cent wage increase arrears, responsibility allowance (for office holders), and deducted third-party monies (ASUU dues and staff welfare savings) for fifteen months (September 2020 â November 2021) â all amounting to billions of naira.
The Union implored the University Administration to follow the path of truth in dealing with the challenges confronting the university, avoid misleading the public, and urgently resolve the problem of non-payment of all outstanding staff salaries, which has demoralised them.
However, Principal Assistant Registrar and Head of Information, Protocol, and Public Relations, Mike Aladenika, described ASUUâs claim as far from the truth.
He said, âThe Acting Vice-Chancellorâs 31-paragraph address to journalists last week did not state that all outstanding salary arrears had been paid. Instead, he emphasised the administrationâs commitment to the gradual liquidation of these arrears.
âIn his speech, Professor Samuel highlighted prompt payment of salaries and pensions as a hallmark of his administration, and noted that the university had implemented the new minimum wage of N70,000 as soon as it was approved.â
Aladenika questioned where ASUU got its information from, given the Acting Vice-Chancellorâs clear statements.
He added, âItâs worth noting that when the current administration took over, ASUU members were owed over 35 months in arrears. However, the debt has since been reduced as those owed 35 months and above were paid 10 months â salary arrears in the first tranche, while in the second tranche, those owed 20 months and above were also paid 10monthsâ salary arrears, emblock.
âApart from individuals among them who got paid on personal requests, the payment of the backlogs is still ongoing as various applications on salary arrears are being attended to, demonstrating the managementâs commitment to gradual payment.
âOn the issue of the 13th-month salary, itâs essential to clarify that this has never been a right, but rather a subject of tripartite negotiations between workers, management, and the state government. There has been no prior agreement or understanding on this matter, and it has always been a point of negotiation for our unions.
âItâs worth noting that the university has never paid 13 monthsâ salary in a 12-month financial year. However, this doesnât mean that the management is opposed to negotiations on the matter. Rather, we believe that itâs essential to approach such discussions constructively, rather than using them as a bargaining chip for blackmail.
âThe management is open to negotiations, but we urge all parties to engage in good faith and avoid misrepresentations.â
