Hope rises for end to LAUTECH crisis

An end to the lingering crisis and resumption of academic activities at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) may be close as the two owner state governments of Osun and Oyo have begun to contribute the agreed takeoff grant of N1billion each.

The governing council and management of the institution had last Thursday met with the Joint Action Committee and the Academic Staff Union of Universities where it was disclosed that the two state governments had paid a total sum of N994, 908,850 million.

The sum comprised a contribution of N937,908,850 from the Osun state government and N56,000,000 by the Oyo state government, with the two state governments promising to each complete the N1 billion in their next instalment(s).

After Thursday’s meeting, it was gathered that the Osun state government had paid in just over N62 million into the university account to complete its N1 billion while the Oyo state government is set to pay its own share in two instalments.

While the Professor Oladapo Afolabi led governing council proposed to pay one month salary and another month after two weeks, the staff unions have insisted on an initial payment of at least three months salaries, followed by another bout of three months as funds become available.

The Dr Biodun Olaniran led ASUU and Mr Aleshinloye Abimbola led JAC had also maintained that other sundry and earned allowances be paid alongside the proposed three months salaries.

Furthermore, the unions are keen on a Memorandum of Action on other concerns like the sustainability of funding, promotion arrears, earned arrears and health insurance.

Chairmen of ASUU and JAC, in different conversations with Nigerian Tribune, said they would call for a congress to consider resumption of activities immediately three months out of their outstanding salary arrears were paid.

In the same vein, Deputy Speaker of the Oyo House of Assembly, Honourable Abdulwasi Musah, at the weekend, urged LAUTECH students to be optimistic of a resumption of academic activities this week, owing to the ongoing commission of funds by the two owner state governments.