GWAGWALADA – The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Abuja chapter, on Friday called for the release and immediate implementation of the White Paper by the Federal Government.
Dr Ben Ugheoke, the branch Chairman said in Gwagwalada that a Special Visitation Panel (SVP) was inaugurated by the government in July 2012 to audit the institution following the alleged mismanagement of funds by the vice-chancellor.
Ugheoke said that the white paper was yet to be released.
He said that the union could not interpret the government’s silence on the recommendation on its own panel, and resolved to embark on an indefinite strike on June 2.
“ASUU frowned at this unfortunate act of unholy silence taking cognisance of the huge amount of public funds that was expended in running the panel for over eight weeks.
“In defence, ASUU resolved to demand that the governing council of the university ensures the immediate release of the white paper on the report.’’
The chairman said the check-off dues of the union be restored and remitted to its account, adding that all claims and arrears owed to its members since 2010 be paid.
According to him, the law of the Trade Union Act of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2005 as amended provided the following in Section 16 (A).
“An employer shall make deduction from the wages of every worker who is a member of any of the trade unions for the purpose of paying contribution to the trade union so registered.
“An employer shall remit such deduction to the registered office of the trade union within a reasonable period or such period, as may be prescribed from time to time by the registrar.’’
He said that the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. James Adelabu, had disobeyed the law by allegedly deducting check- off dues in April 2013 from the union’s account, but had refused to refund it.
The chairman said that until the white paper on the report of the SVP was released, the union’s check-off dues restored and the deduction made by the vice-chancellor remitted, the strike would continue. (NAN)
