University lecturers, under the umbrella of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), have lambasted the Federal Government over its decision to pay them half-salary for October.
A member of the union’s National Executive Council (NEC) told our correspondent that the decision to pay the half-salary allegedly emanated from Labour and Employment Minister Chris Ngige to the Accountant General of the Federation.
But Ngige dismissed the allegation, saying he never directed the Accountant General to pay the university lecturers half salary.
He said: “Anybody who worked for a full month will receive full salary for the full month. If you worked half a month, you will receive a half month salary. That is how it is.
“ASUU members were paid half salaries for working for 15 days in October.”
The NEC member, who spoke in confidence, said the leadership of ASUU was reviewing the situation and would respond appropriately.
He said: “The salary for October was prorated. It was paid in a pro-rata manner for the number of days Ngige assumed that lecturers worked and instruction was from Ngige to the Accountant General’s office.”
“The leadership of ASUU will review the situation and act appropriately. If the court says ‘Go back to the status quo’ and somebody is acting against the status quo, I think the other party is at liberty to also act against the orders of the court.”
Also, in a statement by the chairman of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) branch of the union, Dele Ashiru, ASUU said: “It is to say the least insensitive and disheartening that a supposedly democratic government can be so vicious, reckless and inhuman in dealing with the best brains in our society.
“The leadership of the union at the national level has been duly informed about this unfortunate development and they are on top of the issue.
“Members are enjoined to remain calm and await further directives from the national secretariat, even in the face of this bracing provocation and crass wickedness by this administration.
“Please, remain strong and undaunted because a people united can never be defeated.”
After going on strike for eight months, ASUU, on October 14, suspended its action “conditionally”.
The union explained that it suspended the strike in line with the order of the Court of Appeal and the National Industrial Court as well as in deference to appeals by President Muhammadu Buhari and in recognition of the efforts of House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila and other well-meaning Nigerians.
