The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) Imo State University (IMSU) chapter, has appealed to Governor Hope Uzodimma to pay the N12 billion arrears of salaries owed them since 2009.

The union, In a statement by its chairperson, Odinakachukwu Ejiogu, and secretary, Lazarus Chikwendu, said immediate steps should be taken to pay the outstanding arrears to affected workers.

The university teachers also lamented non-remittance of contributory pension scheme totalling N1,111,187,007.82 from May 2017 to January 2020; and N2,139,229,349.58 outstanding non-remitted deductions from February 2020 to May 2024; and unremitted check-off dues from February 2020 to September 2021 totalling N33,563,081.76.

Others include non-payment of salary differentials and corresponding adjustment arrears as a result of promotions recorded since 2016.

They also disclosed that some salaries, ranging from one to 27 months, were mutilated or skipped, due to the state government’s 2020 reorganisation of laid down procedures for payment of salaries resulting in alleged selective payments.

According to the union, about 92 academic members of staff are in this category.

Other issue, according to ASUU-IMSU, include non -payment of Earned Academic Allowance (EAA), a product of the Federal Government/ASUU agreement since 2009.

The union lamented that meetings held with the university administrators, including the governing council, failed to yield desired results.

“These unresolved issues collectively create a demoralising environment for members of staff, severely affecting their productivity and the university’s overall performance. It is imperative that the governor, who is the visitor to the university, addresses these concerns promptly to restore confidence and ensure the well-being of the university community.

The lecturers pointed out that addressing these welfare issues, ensuring timely and financially backed promotions, settling unpaid arrears, implementing wage increases, remitting pension deductions, releasing the university from the Treasury Single Account (TSA) and respecting university autonomy, will enhance staff morale and productivity. (The Guardian)

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