Varsity lecturers blame VC for non-payment of salaries

As the indefinite strike embarked upon by the University of Abuja (UNIABUJA) branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) lingers, the union has accused the outgoing Vice Chancellor, Prof. AbdulRasheed Na’Allah, of being behind the non-payment of May salaries to its members.

Specifically, the union accused Na’Allah of instructing the school’s bursar and registrar to write the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System’s (IPPIS) office to stop salaries of academic staff for embarking on industrial action.

Speaking in a telephone interview, chairman of UniAbuja chapter, Dr Sylvester Ugoh, alleged that the management opened a clock-in register for academic staff on May 29, with a threat to withhold salaries of those who fail to comply.

“And true to his threat, he allegedly instructed the bursar and registrar to write to the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System’s (IPPIS) office. I’m surprised he is saying now that he is not responsible for the non-payment of staff. There is a circular to that effect and he did not withdraw it.”

Describing the action as illegal, he called for immediate withdrawal of the circular, even as he insisted that the strike is legitimate. He lamented that the development has caused untold hardship on members, who depend on salary for food and life-sustaining drugs.

Meanwhile, the university management has given reasons for the delay in payment of salaries. A statement by the institution’s chief information officer, Maryam Mohammed, attributed the delay to operations of Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS). Mohammed, however, admitted that the vice chancellor was misinformed about the earlier reason for the delay in salary payment.