UNION CALLS OUT UNIMED MANAGEMENT FOR BUDGETING 65 MILLION NAIRA FOR ANNIVERSARY AMIDST WORKERS’ UNPAID ALLOWANCES
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UNION CALLS OUT UNIMED MANAGEMENT FOR BUDGETING 65 MILLION NAIRA FOR ANNIVERSARY AMIDST WORKERS’ UNPAID ALLOWANCES
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) of the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo, has accused the management of the institution of financial recklessness.
SSANU alleged that the Ondo State-owned university’s management budgeted over ₦65 million for the 10th Anniversary celebrations while neglecting pressing staff welfare issues.
The union said the leadership of the institution was insensitivity to workers’ welfare amidst economic challenges.
SSANU made these known in a communiqué issued at the end of its congress at the University’s campus, signed by its Chairman, Comrade Oluwaseyi Abayomi.
The union urged the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Adesegun Fatusi, to cut costs on frivolities and focus on more pressing staff welfare.
According to the union, the management has neglected SSANU’s demands.
These include unpaid arrears of over 12 months’ remittance to members of PFAs, non-implementation of the Employee Compensation Act, 2010, non-payment of 18 months’ arrears of the January 2023 wage award, and non-payment of 105 months’ arrears of the Responsibility Allowance.
It called on the university management to prioritize staff welfare over unnecessary spending.
“The congress condemns the plan to spend over ₦65 million on a mere 10th anniversary at a time of economic hardship.
“Management must reverse this wasteful expenditure and focus on offsetting outstanding staff entitlements”, SSANU stated.
The union directed its members to boycott the anniversary activities unless the management addresses their demands.
It further advised the university’s Governing Council to ensure accountability, particularly in the ongoing selection process for a new vice-chancellor.
However, Isaac Oluyi, UNIMED’s Spokesperson, described SSANU’s allegations as baseless, accusing the union of bypassing internal conflict resolution mechanisms.
Oluyi clarified that the anniversary budget is far less than ₦65 million and is primarily for developmental projects.
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