JUST after resolution of the crisis at the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, another crisis may be brewing in tertiary institutions owned by the Oyo state government over unpaid salaries of between 10 and 15 months and “inadequate” subventions from the state government.
This followed the resolve of the staff unions of the six state-owned tertiary institutions in Oyo state, at a joint meeting held at the weekend, to withdraw their services after November 2, 2017, should the state government not clear all outstanding arrears and restore 100 percent salary payment.
The academic and non-academic staff are lamenting that irregular of salaries has brought upon them untold hardship, while arguing their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) is inadequate to run their affairs.
Their position was contained in a statement jointly signed by staff union executives across the affected institutions to include, Akande Ibrahim (The Polytechnic, Ibadan), Fatai Adebayo, (Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, Oyo), Aderogba Kunle (Oyo State College of Agriculture and Technology), Ojedokun JO (The Ibarapa Polytechnic, Eruwa), Adejumobi Joel (The Oke-Ogun Polytechnic, Saki) and Adegboye Oloyede (College of Education, Lanlate).
The statement read in parts, “Delegates resolved that government’s fractional release of subvention is totally unacceptable, so henceforth, salaries should be paid in full as fractional salary is illegal and therefore totally rejected.”
“That an ultimatum of 14 days from Friday 20th October, 2017 to Thursday 2nd November 2017 has been issued to the government of Oyo state to pay all arrears of salaries of 15 months summatively, failing which all workers (NASU members of the Polytechnic Ibadan; NASU, ASUP, SSANIP, members of the Oke Ogun polytechnic; Saki; NASU members of the Ibarapa Polytechnic, Eruwa; NASU, ASUU, SSANIP members of Oyo state College of Agriculture and Technology, Igbo Ora; COEASU, NASU, SSUCOEN members of Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, Oyo; COEASU, NASU, SSUCOEN members of College of Education, Lanlate) would withdraw their services in totality until all their arrears are paid and 100 percent salary payment is restored.”
“That henceforth members have resolved to adopt “No Pay, No Work” at the expiration of this ultimatum. That workers have also resolved to engage in mass protest to further press home their demand for a full pay until government accedes to these demands.”
Speaking on the development, Oyo Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Professor Adeniyi Olowofela maintained that though the state was keen on supporting the running of tertiary institutions, it was also much concerned about the financial position of all institutions so as to block wastages.
He acknowledged that the state was not unmindful of the fact that subvention, that is 25 percent of what it used to give previously, may not be sufficient for the institutions to run their affairs, but it could not add to the current subvention given except it concluded its ongoing audit of the accounts of all state-owned tertiary institutions.
Olowofela however discountenanced notions that the state was irregular in giving subventions to the institutions.
Consequently, he argued that the state did not owe 15 months salaries in all the institutions, stating that the Polytechnic Ibadan, The Oke-Ogun Polytechnic and The Ibarapa Polytechnic, Eruwa paid full salary in March.
Noting that the state was guided by strict management of available resources, he appealed to staff of the institutions to allow deliberations between the two parties and conclusion of audit of all institutions in the next three weeks, for the state to proffer a lasting solution to the ensuing crisis.
“When things are generalized, there is always a misconception. The position of the Oyo state government is that education will be supported, including the welfare of staff, in all sectors. But, the era of wastages are over. We must know the financial position of all the institutions, so that we can block wastages and do what we need to do as government.”
“Oyo state government has been giving subventions to all the seven tertiary institutions in the state, on a regular basis. The complaint is that the subvention is not sufficient. We are not claiming that it is sufficient but we must know the exact figure, we know what to put in.”
“Ultimatum is to show displeasure but as government, we believe in facts and figures. We have sent auditors to all tertiary institutions in the state and they have given us preliminary reports while we expect the comprehensive reports. Once we get the comprehensive report, in terms of facts and figures, we will do the needful as government and the management will also play its own part.”
“The audit has been completed in some institutions while it will be completed in some other institutions, in the next three weeks.”
“The government does not owe 15 months across board. The government gives subventions which is 25 percent of what it used to be. If we have to add more, we will know based on the facts gathered. We will get data from the management and from the audit firm, then, we know what to add.”
“As of March 2017, the Polytechnic, Ibadan, was able to pay full salary for that month. From March 2017 till now is not 15 months, ditto Polytechnic, Oke Ogun, Polytechnic, Eruwa. I am not saying that all is well, but we will do what we need to do based on available data and available finances.”
“We will not abandon our tertiary institutions. The time of largesse is over; this is the time of strict management of resources. We appeal to the members of all tertiary institutions to give peace a chance. We don’t want a repeat of LAUTECH crisis. LAUTECH crisis has been resolved and this will also be resolved.” Olowofela said.