…demands separate N50bn earned Allowances for members
The National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) has declared an industrial trade dispute with the Federal Ministry of Education and National Universities Commission (NUC), over the sharing formula of the N50 billion approved by the federal government to take care of the earned allowances and payment of seven month arrears of Occupational Hazard Allowance and others to university based unions.
Arising from an emergency virtual meeting of its National Executive Council (NEC), NAAT totally rejected the sharing formula of 80 percent to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), and 20 percent to the three non academic unions.
NAAT President Ibeji Nwokoma in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, described the sharing formula as unjust and unfair even as the union has demanded for a separate N50bn earned Allowances for its members.
“NAAT as a critical stakeholder in the University Education sub-sector, could not understand the wisdom and parameters employed to arrive at such obnoxious decision where a public officer entrusted with the welfare of staff under his Ministry and indeed all Nigerians could endorse such decision irrespective of the effects such actions could generate.
“The practice where Public Officers promote uneven and lopsided allocation of funds meant for payment of Earned Allowances to all categories of University Staff leaves much to be desired. NAAT condemns such actions in its entirety and calls for its immediate reversal in the interest of industrial peace and harmonious working relationship between various stakeholders in the system.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the University system is anchored on contributions by several stakeholders. The role of Academic Technologists is in the area of promoting teaching and research which is the core mandate of every University.
“Therefore, the plan to relegate Academic Technologists would also cripple the backbone of teaching, research and innovations in our Universities and attendant consequences of producing unemployable graduates due to lack of needed skills that they could have acquired in the Laboratories, workshops, farms and studios under the guidance and mentorship of Academic Technologists thereby defeating the recently introduced Federal Government policy of engaging students in more practical and less theory.
“Furthermore, NAAT demands for an immediate commencement of processes by the FME for the release of a separate N50bn to take care of Earned Allowances of NAAT members as contained in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) of 17th August, 2022 signed between Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) and NAAT since the FME decided to allocate the recently released funds to ASUU members. The action of the Honourable Minister of Education and the Executive Secretary of NUC reminds one of the era of apartheid where discrimination was the order of the day.
“It is pertinent to note that NAAT and three other University Based Unions embarked on an indefinite strike action in the year 2022 to press home their demands. NAAT suspended the strike action only after signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) containing several terms of settlement including the release of 50bn for payment of Earned Allowance to members of all the four Unions. Specifically, item 7 of the resolution of 17th August, 2022 clearly stated that the Fifty Billion Naira is for the payment of Earned Allowances (EA) and Earned Academic Allowances (EAA). However, the same Ministry allocates 80% to only one Union to the detriment of three others.”
He added that, “NAAT demands for fairness, equity, justice and fair play for all and call on well-meaning Nigerians that rejects injustice in all its ramifications under whatever guise to rise up and call for immediate reversal of this sharing arrangement that clearly favours one over three others.
“We are the Academic Technologists and we will continue to demand for our right and the promotion of fair and just University system.
“Meanwhile, NAAT resolved to declare a trade dispute with Federal Ministry of Education and National Universities Commission on issues bordering on welfare of our members on the sharing formular of the recently released N50bn earmarked for payment of Earned Allowances and the payment of seven (7) month arrears of Occupational Hazard Allowance and others.”
