The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of non-teaching university staff has urged the Federal Government to swiftly release the two months’ worth of withheld salaries owed to its members.
On Thursday, members of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) along with the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike Ikwo (AE-FUNAI) in Ebonyi State held a protest to advocate for their demands.
The demonstrators marched to the office of Prof. Sunday Elom, the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, to present their complaints.
They held signs with messages like “Government, release our two months’ withheld salaries” and “Third-party deductions from the two months’ salary arrears remain unpaid.” Other placards included: “Renegotiating the constitution isn’t sufficient; let’s get the committee to start work now – delays are risky,” and “We won’t agree until we receive payment for our withheld salaries of two months.”
Mr. Onyebuchi Mpamugo, the SSANU chairman at the university, stated that timely payment has become crucial to prevent another wave of industrial unrest in universities nationwide.
We are demonstrating in accordance with the national directive. We have come together for a one-day protest to emphasize our union’s demands, which we believe are reasonable and manageable for the Federal Government to address.
The Federal Government should support the efforts of the established committee and swiftly take necessary actions. We expect our withheld two months’ salaries to be paid promptly.
He stated, “In 2022, we went on strike as a rightful action for workers. The federal government should not withhold our salaries. Therefore, we are urging them to kindly compensate us.”
Additionally, Mr. Chibuike Igwe, the NASU chairman, encouraged members to stay committed and emphasized that “freedom is achieved through struggle.”
Igwe stated that the union’s national leadership had issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, urging them to address all outstanding demands or face potential industrial action.
He expressed sorrow over the challenges members are facing and urged them to remain united and focused.
“Observe the nation’s economy. We have the right to demand our money,” he stated.
In response, the Vice-Chancellor, represented by Prof. Augustine Ibegbu, Dean of the Faculty of Basic Medical Science, urged calm among the protesters and assured them that their concerns would be relayed to the relevant authorities.
“We have listened to your requests and documented each one. I assure you that they will be presented to the appropriate parties,” he stated.
