THE National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) has called for an end to the indiscriminate establishment of state universities by the governors, who are unable to adequately fund the existing ones.
The union made the urgent call as it also urged the Federal Government to assist the state uni sixties; based on the recommendations of the Consultative Committee on State-Owned Universities set up by the Federal Government to look at the problems of state universities.
In a communique issued at the end of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, NAAT commended the Federal Government for setting up the Consultative Committee and expressed hope that the activities of the committee will help to curb polarisation and the indiscriminate establishment of universities by state governors.
The Communique, signed by NAAT President, Comd. Sani Suleiman and the General Secretary, Comd. Iyoyo Hamilton, read: “The Committee was inaugurated on 14th January, 2019 with representation from all the University-Based Unions. The Committee’s mandate seeks to help solve problems or challenges of the Universities through an interface with Governors at the Governor’s forum. This is a positive development coming at a time when State-owned Universities are bedevilled by a myriad of challenges hampering their growth and development.
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“NAAT hopes that activities of the Committee will help to curb the indiscriminate establishment of State Universities by Governors who are unable to adequately fund existing ones. NAAT also expects Federal Government to assist the State Universities based on recommendations from the Committee from time to time.”
On the renegotiation of the 2009 Federal Government and University-based unions agreements, NAAT commended the Chairman, Dr B. O. Babalakin and members of the Committee saddled with the renegotiation of the agreement, for the progress made so far on the exercise.
“In view of this, NAAT enjoins all unions involved in the renegotiation to give the Committee the required support to carry out its assignment. The Committee must also not allow itself to be distracted by calls for removal and replacement of Dr Babalakin or any other member. No Union has the mandate or authority to constitute the renegotiation committee to satisfy itself.
“If Government accedes to the demand of one Union to remove Dr Babalakin from the Chairmanship, the question is, will the Government be also willing to remove whoever is his replacement if requested to do so by another union? If yes, at what point is such a scenario going to end?” The communique said.
The union, however, expressed concern that 10 years after signing of the 2009 FGN/NAAT Agreement, it is yet to be fully implemented especially in the area of Earned Allowances.
It, therefore, called on the Federal Government to mainstream Earned Allowances with monthly salaries effective 2019 national budget, to avoid further accumulation of arrears.
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