ASUU-EBSU threatens strike over deduction of subvention

The leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Ebonyi State University (EBSU) Chapter, has cautioned the state government to stop further deductions of its monthly subvention.

In a statement signed by its chairman, Prof. Ndubuisi Idenyi, the union alleged continued upfront deduction of N23m from a total of N200m by the state government, as complement tax returns of the university, in line with the provisions of the Payment Income Tax(PIT) Act, 2011(as amended). It therefore warned that such actions should stop.

The union also condemned the placement of embargo on staff employment in the university by the government, as well as the non-release of their professorial promotions for three years, saying it was no longer acceptable.

According to the union, any action aimed at foisting the PIT Act 2011(as amended) on staff members of the university, without, as a first step, complementing the gazetting of staff, instituting the Contributory Pensions Scheme, the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) and other
tax-free components of the PIT act 2011 should be roundly condemned and discouraged.

“The staff of Ebonyi State University have been paying our legitimate taxes and would continue to pay as long as we remain in the employ of the university council, and as long as it is legitimate to do so. Any other action to the contrary shall not be acceptable to ASUU-EBSU under whatever guise,” he said.

The union lamented that seasoned lecturers have continued to quit the state-owned university for greener pastures because of alleged government obnoxious policies and insensitivity to the plight of the staff.