Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (SSANU), has called on Federal Government to make public all the recovered money from politicians and other public office holders without further delay.
The Association’s position was contained in a communiqué co-signed by Samson Ugwoke, SSANU President and Salaam Abdussobur, SSANU National Public Relations Officer, which was issued at the end of the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State.
The NEC-in-session which applauded the resolve of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration towards curbing corruption in the system, urged that the recovered funds should be injected into the economy in the bid to get the country out of recession.
The communiqué read: “NEC advises Government to, for purposes of transparency and accountability, announce the various billions of naira recovered from alleged looters and immediately plough back these huge amounts into the Nigerian economy, as keeping these monies in reserve or as savings while Nigerians starve, makes no meaning.
“SSANU further advises Government to promote policies that will attract investors and prevent oligopolies in the food and building industries to save the masses these bleak situations. SSANU further advises Government to urgently negotiate with the Nigeria Labour Congress for review of the national minimum wage and ensure Nigerians are given living wages.
“NEC in Session, demands as a matter of urgency, implementation of the payment of earned allowances being owed members of SSANU arising from the SSANU/FGN 2009 Agreement as the continued delay is a breach of a Collective Bargaining Agreement and a dishonorable act by Government.”
The Association which decried the precarious and pitiable state of Nigerian worker in the face of present economic realities, emphasized urgent need for Federal Government to fix the ailing economy.
“NEC noted that the costs of food and basic essentials for existence are beyond the reach of the average Nigerian worker, while building materials have become so exorbitant that the common man cannot afford a decent home,” the communiqué noted.
On the flagrant disregard for rule of law, the Association further condemned the contemptuous action of Federal Government in defiance and disrespect of the rule of law by bluntly refusing to implement the judgment of the National Industrial Court (NIC) which clearly directed that Staff Schools are integral part of the University as contained in the SSANU/FGN 2009 agreement.
“NEC expressed disappointment with the recent guidelines in the 2018 Personnel Budget Call Circular dated May 5, 2017, signed by Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, Minister of Budget and National Planning, wherein directives were given that workers in Staff Schools affiliated to Institutions should not be included in the Personnel Budgets of such Institutions.
“NEC noted that this directive is a gross defiance of the Court judgment in respect of University Staff Schools, and an affront to democratic institutions and Rule of Law which the Federal Government professes to uphold and protect.
“NEC demands that the Federal Government swiftly reintegrates the workers in the University Staff Schools into the University system by including them in the budget and according them their proper status without further delay to avoid nationwide industrial action.”
After robust discussion on the recent agitation for relocation by some groups, SSANU condemned in strong terms the hate speeches, threat for secession and drumbeat of war by some sections of the country and called on the Nigeria workers to unite against poverty, deprivation and exploitation by members of the elite/ruling class.
“NEC further noted that while the members of the ruling class have other places and countries to run to, the average Nigerian does not. NEC therefore urges Nigerians not to allow themselves to be used as cannon fodder by the elite class who promote all these divisions for personal, selfish and exploitative ends.
“Observing however, that there are imbalances and inequalities in the Nigerian system, which need urgent redress, NEC urges the Nigerian people to promote dialogue with a view to deepening the National conversation, instead of violence which would bring along with it, grave consequences and repercussions.”
On the position of the association on the state of insecurity and attacks on University of Maiduguri, it said, “NEC in Session, condemns the spate of bombings in the University of Maiduguri leading to wanton destruction of lives and property of staff and students.
“While SSANU appreciates the security forces and the Federal Government for achievements so far recorded in curtailing the menace of insurgence, it urges them to do more in intelligence gathering and tasks the Federal Government to provide equipment and adequate funding to protect our Universities from violence being wreaked by these miscreants.”
While reacting to the alleged victimization and illegal termination of appointment in University of Abuja, the Council described the development, as “breaches and administrative infractions perpetrated by the Authorities at the University of Abuja, leading to the illegal suspension and eventual terminations of appointments of the Branch Chairman and Secretary of SSANU in the University.
“NEC noted that the process leading to these actions were unprocedural, unlawful and unconstitutional. NEC therefore urges the Honorable Minister of Education to prevail on the Governing Council of the University of Abuja to immediately recall our illegally terminated officers to avert a national industrial crisis.”
SSANU noted with dismay the abandonment of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) owned jointly by Oyo and Osun States saying the action of the two state governments was jeopardizing the careers of its members, lives of students and other members of the University community.
The Council observed that: “While the two State Governments have gone ahead setting up their own Universities, LAUTECH should not be left to rot in a country where the existing Universities cannot absorb the teeming prospective entrants into Universities.
“NEC in Session noted the potentials of the university and its past contributions to national development and painfully wondered why such institution should be abandoned for any reason. SSANU therefore urges the immediate takeover of LAUTECH by the Federal Government to halt this painful and embarrassing action of Oyo and Osun State Governments.
“NEC appeals to stakeholders in the Educational Sector, Traditional Rulers in the Southwest, political leaders and concerned Nigerians to take more than a passing interest in the issue of LAUTECH in the interest of our Nigerian children and the future of the nation.”
SSANU observed with concern, the spate of destruction of properties and loss of lives occasioned by the horrendous flood in Lagos, Niger and some coastal States of the country and commended the Federal Government and various Environmental Agencies for earlier predictions, warnings and precautionary steps against the floods.
The union also urged Government to intensify efforts in providing relief materials and proactively guard against future occurrence by strictly monitoring dams, drainages and enforcing environmental laws.
KEHINDE AKINTOLA, Abuja
