Lecturers spoil for showdown over failure to release N200m Earned Allowance

The Vice-Chancellor, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Prof. Mohammed Akaro-Mainoma, on Thursday urged the state government to release the N200 million Earned Academic Allowance owed lecturers of the institution to avert strike.
Akaro-Mainoma made the appeal when members of the State Assembly Committee on Education, Science and Technology paid an oversight visit to the institution.
He said the university had in May signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Academic Staff Union of Universities to pay the remaining 20 per cent of the allowances by December.
The vice chancellor said that the MoU made the lecturers to suspend their three-month- old strike on May 31.
He also spoke on efforts made by the university to upgrade its facilities.
Akaro-Mainoma said: “The Nasarawa State Government and the institution, through its Internally Generated Revenue had done a lot in developing this school.
“As you can see, some projects are completed while others are ongoing.
“We have constructed lecture theatres, library complex, completed the Mass Communication complex among others.
“We are also happy to inform you that 17 courses have been fully accredited.
“But our problem is that we paid only 20 per cent out of the 40 per cent total EAA owed lecturers.
“The agreement is that by December, we will pay the remaining 20 per cent, which is about N200million, to avert another strike.
“Another disturbing matter is the review of the law setting up the university, to conform to the 2003 Act, as obtained in other public universities.
“Also of importance is the speedy completion of the three blocks of hostels under construction, in the interest of the students, and to improve learning.”
Akaro-Mainoma urged the committee for provision of special intervention funds to the university, to offset outstanding arrears of academic and non-academic staff, to ensure peace and overall development of the school.
The vice chancellor advised the state government to agree with unions on isssues that are practicable and implementable, to avoid unnecessary strike.
Earlier, Daniel Ogazi, Chairman of the committee said the visit was not to witch-hunt, but enable the committee assess the 2016 Budget performance of the university.
Ogazi said: “It is only when the committee knows the budget details or performance of the institution in the 2016 fiscal year that it will serve as a guide for the 2017 fiscal year.”
The lawmaker assured the institution that the committee would push for solutions to some of its challenges, to enhance academic excellence.