The Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, has declared that it would embark on strike in the next two weeks if agreements with the Federal Government are not met.
The Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, Calabar Zone, Comrade Happiness Uduk, said this while addressing a press conference and protest organized by Calabar Zone of ASUU, at Abia state University, Uturu Main Campus.
She said that various agreements between the union and the Federal government were yet to be honoured, leaving the academic staff and educational sector at large in deplorable condition.
She listed the issues to include no salary increment, salary arrears, poor funding of universities and non-payment of Earned Academic Allowances, among others.
The union rejected the Integrated Personal and Payroll information System (IPPS) and the introduction of Treasury Single Account (TSA) in Abia State University, Uturu, and also condemned the victimisation of members of ASUU in Ebonyi State University (EBSU).
It expressed regrets that monthly wages of lecturers have been rubbished by the high cost of living in the country.
ASUU also rejected the Federal Government’s loan package for Nigerian students, warning that that it would enslave the students.
“Universities would be shut down for academic activities in the next two weeks. Please take the message to them,” Uduk said.
Also speaking, the Chairman of ASUU in Abia State University, Dr Chidi Mba rejected the Treasury Single Account.
Mba, who said the lecturers are owed between 11 and 14 months salaries, also complained that salaries of some workers were slashed.
The ASUU Chairman called on the Abia State government to increase the funding for the school.
Calabar Zone of ASUU comprises of seven Universities namely University of Calabar, University of Uyo, Alex Ekwueme University, Abia State University, Ebonyi State University and Akwa Ibom State University.