SSAUTHRAI, NASU declare strike over NRCRI ED’s tenure extension

ABIA State chapters of the Senior Staff Association of Universities Teaching Hospitals, Research Institutes and Associated Institutions (SSAUTHRAI) and Non-academy Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) have commenced strike to protest against Executive Director, National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Umudike, Prof. J.U. Ukpabi’s tenure extension.

Led by comrades George Okogbue and Smart Ukairo, the unions are agitated that Ukpabi, who was supposed to have commenced his three months terminal leave on February 24, 2022, was still coming to office, which they said, was against civil service rules and regulations.

Other issues against Ukpabi, according to Ukairo, include zero staff welfare, distancing himself from the employees, non-payment of 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 staff promotion arrears, partiality in payment of claims, illegal acquisition of two houses at the expense of workers, personalisation of the institute’s vehicles and zero funding of research, among others.

He also alleged that Ukpabi has been diverting visitors coming for Agricultural exhibitions to private farms in disguise.

Speaking to newsmen on the industrial action, Okogbue, who condemned Ukpabi’s attitude in strong terms, said: “Ukpabi is still coming to work when he should have begun his three months terminal leave effective February 24, 2022.

“We are not happy over his refusal to proceed on three months pre-retirement leave, for which he previously ensured compliance by all retirees of the institute. His action now is what compelled us to proceed on strike and subsequently blocked the entrance to his office to prevent him from further entering.

Meanwhile, Chairman of NRCRI, Dr. Chris Uba and Executive Secretary of Agricultural Research Council, Prof. G. H. Sharubutu, have appealed to the warring parties to sheathe their swords and do the needful.

But the unions have vowed to force Ukpabi out of office if he continues to come to the institute and as long as the concerned authorities remained silent.