From INIOBONG SUNDAY, UYO
The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Akwa Ibom State University, AKSU, branch, has threatened to call out its members to resume the suspended strike action, our Correspondent learnt on Thursday in Uyo, the State capital.
According to the union, the state government has failed to implement set of demands as promised during negotiations leading to the suspension of the strike a couple of months ago.
Issues bothering on staff welfare, non-constitution of the governing council, funding, repositioning of academic infrastructure, electricity especially at the Obio Akpa, Oruk Anam LGA campus, amongst others, the union listed, constituted the core grievances of its members.
Speaking in Uyo, the state capital on the branch Chairman, Dr Inyang Udosen, called on the governor and visitor to the University, Pastor Umo Eno, to constitute the governing board without delay.
Udosen explained that the call for increased funding from the present N325m to N500m subvention became necessary to address the intermittent power supply and recruit more academic staff to reduce the workload of lecturers
He said: “Since the expiration of the tenure of the last Governing Council in June 2023, ASUU branch notes
with deep regret that there is no Council to run and regulate the affairs of the University which is exactly one year after expiration of the last Council.
“The state governor who is the Visitor, during his meeting and interaction with all the Staff Unions of the University on 7” February, 2024 promised to set up the Council.
“ASUU-AKSU branch frowns at the non-constitution of the governing council and hereby uses this medium to remind the governor of his promise to do so and appeals to him to constitute it without any further delay.
“The Branch calls on the State Government to increase subvention to AKSU as the current N325million monthly subvention is grossly inadequate to address the needs of the University.
“The University needs to recruit more academic staff as members of ASUU-AKSU Branch are complaining of excessive workload and work-induced stress which is inimical to academic growth and health of the University
system.
“ASUU-AKSU expresses grave concern about the state of affairs in AKSU most especially insufficient power supply in Obio Akpa campus, which is only available between the hours of 9:00am to 2:00pm daily.
“This rationed power supply cannot support academic learning., teaching and research. It is in view of the above that ASUU-AKSU branch calls for increment in subvention to the University to the tune of not less than N500 million in line with economic realities of the day”.
The union further lamented that since the establishment of the University 13 years ago, the Institution does not have any hostel facility, noting that such has exposed students to danger and exploitation by the surrounding communities.
