• Friday, March 29, 2024
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Students stranded as protesters shut down AKSU

Students stranded as protesters shut down AKSU

Students of Akwa Ibom State University (AKSU) located at Ikot Akaden , Mkpat Ening local government have been locked out of the institution following a protest by workers over the non payment of the new minimum wage by the authorities.

The protesters who blocked the main entrance to the University prevented students from entering as they displayed placards demanding the payment of all their entitlements.
Most of the students worst hit are those who  were eager to complete their clearance for the next batch of the National Youths Service Corps as the University has just released the result of its degree examinations.

The workers who are also angered by the deductions by the University authorities in their February salary vowed not to reopen the University until all payments from the deductions and the new minimum wage approved by the state government are paid.

They accuse the university management of rejecting the proposal by the state government that the minimum of N30,000 should be paid with arrears to all employees of the state government adding that the authorities of the institution have been unwilling to adhere to the directive by both the state and federal governments “to mainstream earned academic allowances into action,’’ a top union official stated.

Richard Ekpo, chairman of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), AKSU branch said the workers would not go back to work until the new minimum wage and the allowances are paid.

“We want them to pay immediately the minimum wage  and the deductions and a commitment on the payment of arrears , if not , the protest will continue unless we are heard,’’ he said.

It was gathered that the workers were angered by the selective payment of the minimum wage to some workers and the alleged deductions in their allowances.

Reacting to the shutdown of the institution, the registrar, John Udo in a statement made available to the media stated that the University would enforce no work no pay principle adding that the situation has been brought under control after the protest by the workers.

According to the statement, it is a rumour that Akwa Ibom State University has been shut down adding that sufficiency arrangement has been made for the safety of lives and property of both staff and students.

“The fact is that there was demonstration by few members of staff of the University who closed the gate of the University for some hours. However, the situation was brought under control and normalcy has returned to the University.”

He said heads of departments and units were mandated to take attendance of all members of staff working under them.