The Akwa Ibom State University branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has raised the alarm over the non-constitution of the institution’s governing council by the state government one year after the expiration of the tenure of the last council.
In a statement on Thursday by Dr Inyang Udosen, the chairman of ASUU in the university, the union
regretted that Governor Umo Eno, having been informed of the expiration of the governing council one year ago and the need to constitute a new one for the smooth operation of the university, was yet to do the needful.
According to the statement: “Since the expiration of the tenure of the last governing council in June 2023, ASUU notes with deep regret that there is no council to run and regulate the affairs of the university, which is exactly one year after the expiration of the last council.
“The State Governor, who is the Visitor, during his meeting and interaction with all the staff unions of the university on 7 February 2024, promised to set up the council.
“ASUU-AKSU Branch frowns at the non-constitution of the governing council and hereby uses this medium to remind the governor of his promise to do so and appeals to him to constitute it without any further delay.
“The Branch calls on the state government to increase subvention to AKSU as the current N325 million monthly subvention is grossly inadequate to address the needs of the university.
“The university needs to recruit more academic staff as members of the ASUU-AKSU Branch are complaining of excessive workload and work-induced stress, which is inimical to academic growth and the health of the university system.
“ASUU-AKSU expresses grave concern about the state of affairs in AKSU most especially the insufficient power supply at the Obio Akpa Campus, which is only available between 9 am to 2 pm daily.
“This rationed power supply cannot support academic learning, teaching and research. It is in
view of the above, that the ASUU-AKSU branch calls for an increment in subvention to the university to the tune of not less than N500 million in line with the economic realities of the day.”
The union further lamented that since the establishment of the university 13 years ago, the institution had no hostel facility, noting that this has exposed students to danger and exploitation by the surrounding communities.
Udosen similarly warned against non-payment of Earned Academic Allowance, EAA, adding that the situation could lead to industrial disharmony in the institution.