By JOAN NWAGWU

The National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) has demanded the immediate payment of three and a half months of withheld salaries and allowances.

Mr Ibeji Nwokoma, NAAT President, made the demand in a communiqu? issued at the end of an emergency meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the association on Sunday in Abuja.

According to Nwokoma, NAAT is calling for the immediate settlement of arrears, including three and a half months of withheld salaries, as well as 12-month arrears of the 25 per cent and 35 per cent salary increase.

?We also demand the payment of arrears for the wage award, national minimum wage, and Occupational Hazard Allowance.

?We also call for the release of an enabling circular for the implementation of CONTISS 14 and 15 for Academic Technologists to ensure sustainable industrial harmony in Nigerian universities,? he said.

Nwokoma further expressed concern over the growing trend of the dissolution of duly appointed and inaugurated University Governing Councils.

He also raised concerns about the removal of vice-chancellors and the arbitrary swapping of pro-chancellors by the federal government, without adherence to the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Act 2003.

He noted that the frequent disruptions in university governance had negatively impacted management, growth, and financial disbursements, affecting research, development, and the balance between academic and non-academic activities.

These disruptions, he said, hindered the smooth operation of laboratories, workshops, and studios, which directly affected academic technologists? welfare, training, and career progression.

Additionally, Nwokoma expressed concern over the federal government?s decision to exempt tertiary institutions from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS).

He explained that since the transition to the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS), members had experienced salary delays, disparities, shortfalls, and irregular remittance of statutory deductions.

?We call on the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Budget Office of the Federation, the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, and GIFMIS administrators to improve payroll processes for timely and accurate salary payments,? he added. (NAN)

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