The Calabar Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has issued a strong warning of an impending “total, comprehensive and indefinite” strike in state-owned universities within its jurisdiction.
The zone, which covers public universities in Abia, Akwa Ibom, Ebonyi, and Cross River states, specifically mentioned Abia State University (ABSU), Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU), Ebonyi State University (EBSU), and the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS).
In a statement signed by Zonal Coordinator Dr. Ikechuku Igwenyi and the branch chairpersons after a zonal meeting on Tuesday, ASUU said it can no longer guarantee industrial harmony in these institutions due to the continued neglect of staff welfare and breach of signed agreements.
“The continued neglect of staff welfare and the breach of signed agreements will definitely push these universities in the zone to the precipice of a ‘total, comprehensive and indefinite industrial action,’’ the statement read.
ASUU listed several unresolved issues, including the non-payment of earned academic allowances, failure to implement the 25/35% wage award, and the consequential adjustment of the new national minimum wage.
The union also accused the institutions of not implementing a recently signed agreement with the Federal Government on consolidated academic tools allowance and professorial allowance.
The lecturers further decried persistent delays in salary payments and the withholding of third-party deductions such as check-off dues, cooperative savings, pension contributions, and union welfare dues.
At UNICROSS, for instance, deductions spanning 24 months since 2018 have reportedly not been remitted.
The union noted that years of patience have yielded no positive results, while high inflation has pushed many members into poverty, making it difficult for them to afford basic needs such as rent, hospital bills, and school fees for their children.
“This is not merely a dispute over figures; it is a fight for the survival of the university system,” the statement stressed.
ASUU called on the Federal and state governments, university administrations, and governing councils to urgently address the issues to avert a crisis.
The union also appealed to traditional rulers, parents, students, and the general public to hold the respective state governments responsible should the strike become inevitable.
By
TheTimes Nigeria
