Governor Bello: Urged to attend to lecturers’ welfare

Richard Elesho/ Lokoja

LOKOJA – The Joint action committee, JAC, of trade unions of tertiary institutions in Kogi state has issued a 14 days ultimatum to the state government to pay it’s workers and meet outstanding demands or else they will down tools.

JAC in a communique signed by its Chairman, Akpihi Linus and Secretary, Moses Balogun also urged the state government to rescind it’s decision to lay off 2015 and 2016 employed staff and to comply with the statutory policy guiding tertiary institutions.

The association listed unfavourable tax deduction scheme, six months salary arrears, downsize of its members amongst others as their angst against the government, hence their reason for the ultimatum.

The association equally accused the state government of using the seven -months ongoing staff verification exercise to sack their members; and alleged that their members who were initially cleared are now omitted from the current cleared list.

“A good number of members of the tertiary institutions have been tagged unclear even after they were rescreened and confirmed genuine workers. Those who are cleared are being owned three months those uncleared are owned six months. We demands for their payment.

“The tax reform of the state government compared to other states and federal Universities is draconic, satanic and unacceptable as it has made so many senior lectures in the country reject offers from the state.

“The tax reform granted to Kogi state University (KSU) Anyigba and college of education (COE) Ankpa have not been implemented. Any new tax regime must have input of the Union as agreed between the state government and organized labour in the 2016 agreement.”

“The proposed Treasury Single Account policy by government will hinder the smooth administration of tertiary institutions as it has been noticed in other institutions.”

The association also urged the state government to as a matter of urgency constitute the governing councils in the various tertiary institutions.
End.