Members of the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) Michael Okpara University Umudike chapter has threatened to embark on strike following what they described as Maladministration, Insensitivity, maltreatment of staff by Vice-Chancellor of the university Prof. Francis Ogbonnaya Otunta.
In a press conference organized by the leadership and members of the union they reeled out their plight and sufferings in the hands of Prof. Otunta’ the university’s Vice-Chancellor and gave 7 working days beginning from 7th of February 2020 to embark on an indefinite strike, they insisted that never at any point in the life of the institution have the staff and students of the university faced such maladministration and wickedness, according to them “This University is now known for everything inhuman, everything negativity, everything abnormality, As I speak with you our grievances are many: from delayed promotion appraisal of which its arrears are not paid to staff victimization etc.”
PRESS CONFERENCE GRANTED BY THE MEMBERS OF NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ACADEMIC TECHNOLOGISTS, MICHAEL OKPARA UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE UMUDIKE ABIA STATE BRANCH THIS DAY THE 7TH OF FEBRUARY,2020.
Gentlemen of the Press and my great comrades.
It’s with great displeasure that I speak to the press over what we will better refer to as insensitive, ill-treatment and hardiness of heart of the management and Governing Council of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike Abia State against the welfare of staff of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike Abia State especially to the members of the National Association of Academic Technologists [NAAT] MOUAU ABIA STATE BRANCH.
Suffice it to state that the National Association of Academic Technologists NAAT at the National level in 2009 entered into agreement with Federal Government of Nigeria [FGN], and the Government graciously approved the payment of ₦360,000.00 per annum (that is ₦30,000.00 monthly) as Occupational Hazard Allowance [OHA] due to the hazardous jobs done by members of NAAT in the Laboratories.
In February 2011, the 3rd Vice Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike Abia State, Prof Ikenna Onyido [fas] implemented this agreement between NAAT and the FGN and paid arrears to 2009 and same continued running as part of the salary of members till five months before the end of the administration of the 4th Vice-Chancellor Prof. Hilary Odo Edeoga precisely in November 2015, when the allowance was quarantined from our salaries without reasons or any memorandum for explanation wheresoever till this day.
Let me remind you that other universities borrowed a leaf from Umudike by coming here to take our payslip samples and theirs was implemented with arrears and they are still enjoying it till this day while Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike Abia State that set the pace suddenly reneged.
This University is now known for everything inhuman, everything negativity, everything abnormality. As I speak with you our grievances are many: from delayed promotion appraisal of which its arrears are not paid to staff victimization, our member’s promotions are hanging without moral justification.
As a law-abiding and peace-loving union on campus, we have written memo upon memo over one case among many, restoration of the Occupational Hazard Allowance, we’ve taken this case to Alternative Dispute Resolution Center [ARDC] chaired by the wife of the Vice-Chancellor on campus Barr. Mrs Bertha Nnenna Otunga, we have lobbied and also sought for the intervention the Governing Council led by H.E Alhaji Mohammed Zayyana, it might surprise you that all these failed as the University management led by the Vice-Chancellor Prof. Francis Ogbonnaya Otunta sat on this Allowance, and we have no other option than our resolve to approach the Industrial Arbitration Panel of which it’s noticed has been communicated to the management on the 22nd of January,2020 with a three weeks grace period for the management to restore this allowance and commence payment of its arrears.
To add salt to injury, this insensitive Government led by the controversial Professor of mathematics directed the Bursar, Mr Joseph Kalu Fca, to send a political reply without time or even form of commitment hence this press conference.
In his response with a letter dated 4th February 2020 the Bursar stated thus:
“I have been directed to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 23rd of January 2020.
I also write to inform you that management will take action on the issue at stake”.
As a union, the only thing that will make us accept this letter and rescind in our proposed action is that the management should tell us when and how this money will pay between today the 7th of February, to the next 7 days 14th February 2020, failure to tow such path of commitment, the union will direct her members to commence chains of actions of civil disobedience lined up against the management of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike Abia State not minding it’s consequences if actually there is any, for our members has run out of patience, we hardly believe them again, in September 2019 we sent delegates to see the Vice-Chancellor and him after a long deliberation agreed to do something and till now nothing.
He had directed the police to tear gas us before now within this same administration for protesting peacefully on a matriculation day, we are ready for more, we in NAAT don’t die, we are like a seed we germinate.
I must not conclude without telling the world and all that cares to hear and know the truth that before the emergence of the 5th Vice-Chancellor Prof. Francis Ogbonnaya Otunta on 1st March 2011 the National Association of Academic Technologists NAAT MOUAU BRANCH was on strike over this issue, as a mark of honour the strike action was suspended and our members resolved to allow him settle and had high hope he will do the right thing.
Whoever that is in doubt of our claim should approach any university state or Federal, the likes of FUTO, UNIUYO, UNICAL, AWKA, ALEX EKWUEME etc, why must Umudike be different, why must our case be different? This time like Timaya, as a union we can’t kill ourselves but to let the world hear us and tell Prof Francis Ogbonnaya Otunta and his team to release our fifty-four [54] months of Allowances, he will not use this money God hears us.
Thank you
Image Michael Okon
Branch Chairman
Obasi Richard U.
Branch Secretary
Source: Uche Aguoru
