Ekiti varsity workers protest against non-remittance of salary deductions

Workers of Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, yesterday staged a protest against the management over non-remittance to cooperative societies of 11 months’ deduction from their monthly salary.

The protesters comprise members of various cooperative societies in the campus, both academic and non-academic staff.

They moved from the Administrative Block about 8.10 am to the campus main gate to express their grievances.

Placards bearing their thoughts and agitations, including ‘Enough is enough’, ‘Pay our 11 months’ salary’, ‘No more half salary’, ‘Our members are dying’, ‘Help! help! save our soul, EKSU is killing us’ were displayed during the march.

Addressing journalists during the protest, president of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Cooperative Society, Prof. Awe Ariyo, alleged that deductions amounting to N1.8 billion were not remitted to the cooperatives’ account, making it difficult for the members to access loan.

Ariyo said the school management had no regard workers’ welfare, making life difficult for the workers in the last three years.

He added: “They have turned us to paupers. All our colleagues that are not in the cooperative collect full salary. Is it a sin to be frugal and set something aside to build house, pay school fees and buy car.

“Government gives them N260 million subvention, whereas the wage bill is over N500 million. Instead of giving the true picture of how the wage bill rose to that level, they are pretending as if they are paying full salary.”

Secretary of the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU), Mr. Azeez Aguda, noted that the workers were suffering while the management was enriching its pockets unfettered.

According to him, the EKSU governing council under the chairmanship of Prof. Bamitale Omole has derailed from its responsibility of ensuring efficiency in the university’s administration.

However, EKSU Public Relations Officer, Bode Olofinmuagun, said the management was meeting to find lasting solution to the crisis.

He appealed to the aggrieved workers to exercise patience and avoid breach of peace on the campus, as the issue would be sorted out soon.