By Chuwang Dungs, Jalingo

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Taraba State University (TASU) chapter has cried out over the spade of neglect and insecurity at the state university in Jalingo, calling on stakeholders in the state to prevail on Government to implement the 2021 Agreement it had with the union to save  the precarious condition being faced by staff of the institution.

The Chairman of the union, Samuel Shikaa, made the appeal in a press released issued to The EYEWITNESS in Jalingo on Saturday, after the union congress held at the University on Friday.

He said that the state Government was not sensitive to the plight of the union by failing to fulfil its own part of the agreements with the union in March 2021 to end the ASUU-TSU 2021 industrial strike action.

According to him, in the agreement the state government promise to expedite action towards completion of the University’s parameter fence to ensure the security of staff and students on campus.

Mr. Shikaa, however, said since the strike action was called off five months ago, “work on the parameter fence has remained on standstill with grave security implications to staff and students.”

He disclosed that few months ago, a senior academic staff of the University was kidnapped at his residence in the staff quarters by hoodlums and was held hostage for four days before he was eventually released.

“Security has worsened on campus. The general public is already aware that staff on campus have become cheap targets of hoodlums and kidnappers.”

According to him, apart from promising to erect the school parameter fence in the agreement government also made commitment to release thirty-five million naira for the payment of about four-hundred and fifty million naira accumulated Earned Academic Allowance (EAA), and subsequently, to be releasing ten million naira on monthly bases effective from April, 2021 to defray the arrears.

He said in the agreement government also made promise to Pay off academic staff promotion arrears of 2017/2018 and 2018/2019 sessions; Implement contributory pension scheme for staff of the University effective from May, 2021.

“Government agreed to commence henceforth, the election of Deans and Heads of Departments in line with the Law establishing the University.”

He lamented that the only positive action taken regarding the agreement is election of Deans in the various faculties.

“The monthly Ten Million Naira that was promised to defray the accumulated EAA effective from April 2021 has not been implemented as agreed. Similarly, staff pension scheme has not been implemented to this day even as members have submitted their RSA’s to the University management.” He noted

He further disclosed that payment of fractional salaries has become a regular occurrence in the University.

“Management insists strongly that the monthly remittance from the State Government is grossly insufficient to foot the salary bill, hence, the University has to rely on tuition fee (which is not always forthcoming) to augment the salary bill.” He explained.

“The Union considers this position as deceptive, for this is the same management that recently, in a widely circulated publication dated 26th February 2021, claimed that all sources of income due for the University are forthcoming; and that management has enough to run the University.”

Shikaa said government’s insensitivity to the important demands is killing the standard of education in the university and is exposing staff and students to security risks.

He further disclosed that Yola Electricity Distribution Company has discontinued its services to the University due to the inability of the University to pay off its bills, throwing the Main Campus into total darkness.

“The effect of this on effective teaching and learning in the 21st Century can best be imagined.

He said with the way things are going,  concerned stakeholders must weigh into the situation to avert all forms of industrial disharmony in the University.

He said In the event of any industrial action the union should not be blamed, but the government should be blamed for failing to abide by its promises.