Today's Newspaper ~ The Inadequate funding, non-constitution of governing council In Akwa Ibom Academic Staff Union Of Universities (ASUU)
The Academic Staff Union of Universities, Akwa Ibom State University Branch, has frowned at the non-constitution of the Governing Council of the university one year after the expiration of the tenure of the last council.
It also lamented inadequate funding and the erratic power supply especially at the Obio Akpa Campus which it noted cannot sustain learning and research.
This was contained in a press statement by its chairman, Dr Inyang Udosen, made available to our correspondent in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital, on Thursday.
While calling on the visitor and governor of the state, Umo Eno, to constitute the Governing Council without delay, Udosen explained that the call for increased funding from the present N325m to N500m subvention became necessary to address the erratic power supply and recruit more academic staff to reduce the workload of lecturers.
The statement read in part, “Since the expiration of the tenure of the last Governing Council in June 2023, ASUU Branch notes
with deep regret that there is no council to run and regulate the affairs of the university which is exactly one year after 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 February 7, 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 N325million monthly subvention is grossly inadequate to address the needs of the University.”
The union also called for the recruitment of more academic staff as members are complaining of excessive workload and work-induced stress.
This, it said, was inimical to academic growth and health of the university system.
“ASUU-AKSU expresses grave concern about the state of affairs in AKSU most especially insufficient power supply in Obio Akpa Campus which is only available between the hours of 9:00a.m. to 2:00p.m. daily.
“This rationed power supply cannot support academic learning., teaching and research. It is in view of the above that ASUU-AKSU Branch calls for increment in subvention to the University to the tune of not less than N500 million in line with economic realities of the day,” the statement added.
The union further lamented that since the establishment of the university 13 years ago, the institution does not have any hostel facility, noting that such has exposed students to danger and exploitation by the surrounding communities.
Udosen similarly warned against non-payment of Earned Academic Allowance, adding that the situation if not addressed could lead to industrial disharmony in the Institution.
The Branch expresses dismay at the non-payment of Earned Academic Allowances to academic staff of the University. It is worth noting that academic staff in AKSU are enormously stretched, overworked and stressed due to heavy workloads and schedules without any commensurate remuneration for their efforts in helping the university to meet its obligations to the State and Nation in general.
“ASUU-AKSU clearly states that if the issue of EAA is not addressed and implemented in AKSU, it could breed dissatisfaction that will lead to industrial disharmony in the university,” the statement added.
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