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The Abia State University’s chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has alleged that many of its members in the institution did not receive their April and May salaries, adding that some workers who were paid had their salaries deducted.
Chidi Mbah and Victor Obisike, respectively chairperson and secretary of ASUU, said that contrary to the Abia government’s announcement and news circulating on social media that their salaries had been cleared, only a handful of staff with salary accounts at commercial banks received their April salary, and even fewer received their May salary.
According to the ASUU executives, the alleged disparity in the salary payment and salary deductions created financial strain, panic and uncertainty among the affected staff.
“Moreover, many of the staff who received either their April or May salary experienced unexplained deductions ranging from N8,000 to N53,000 from their salary at the source.
“Due to this staggered payment system, the unions within the university cannot ascertain the status of their check-off dues, which are typically deducted at the source of payment.
“Furthermore, it is important to highlight that our 11 months of outstanding salary arrears remain unpaid. Despite repeated assurances, not a single month of these arrears has been settled,” the union alleged.
ASUU, which said that it supports Governor Alex Otti’s quest to reposition Abia State University, urged government officials to refrain from politicizing the issue of salary payments while also appealing to the state government to quickly address the issues they raised in their complaints.
“It is imperative that the government acknowledges the financial hardships faced by university staff and takes immediate action to ensure that all outstanding salaries, including the arrears, are paid promptly and in full,” said ASUU.
