ASUU tackles Kano govt over unpaid allowances, others

THE Kano Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has expressed its displeasure over non-payment of excess workload allowance and postgraduate research grant totaling N273 million, as well as other issues at the Kano University of Science and Technology (KUST), Wudil.

In a statement signed the zonal coordinator, Professor Mahmud Lawal, the union expressed worry over, “the apparent breach of the law establishing the university where a council was constituted and inaugurated without the election of the representatives of a critical stakeholder in the university – the congregation’s representative to council.”

The Kano Zone comprises Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria; Kaduna State University; Bayero University, Kano (BUK); Federal University, Dutse; Yusuf Maitama Sule University, and KUST.

The zone also frowned  on the way a council meeting was held immediately after its inauguration on October 3, 2017 without formal notice to members, and knowing fully that the internal members of council from congregation were not elected.

It also expressed disgust that up to date, the university Senate had not met to consider results of the 2015/2016 academic session, while the university is in 2016/2017 academic session.

It noted that despite repeated congress resolutions and correspondences to the state government, and a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), nothing had been done to call the vice chancellor to order.

Kano ASUU zone lamented that for the past two years, nothing has been done to call the vice chancellor to order by the appropriate authorities.

“Kano ASUU zone views this as provocative and deliberate attempt to deny our members their entitlements, and it has the capacity to undermine the peaceful atmosphere on the campus.

“The zone calls on the visitor of the university and the pro-chancellor and chairman of the council to call the authorities of the university to order and ensure the immediate payment of our members’ entitlements in order to avoid unpalatable situation in the system,” the statement read.

All efforts to get reaction from the university authorities were unsuccessful, but a source who preferred anonymity said efforts were being made to address the issues raised.