ASUU Strike: Edo Government Not Owing AAU Staff, Commissioner Brags

Edo Commissioner for Communication and Orientation Christopher Nehikhare has said the state government is not owing members of Ambrose Alli University (AAU) Ekpoma.

Nehikhare made this disclosure in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Benin.

The commissioner stressed that the arrears and entitlements of the staff of the institution had been cleared completely.

According to him, the institution has been in session and the students have not been affected by the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

 “The Edo State Government set up an intervention team over a year ago to look into the management of the institution and to turn the institution around for the better.

“The school was in debt, lecturers were not being paid and the students were not getting value for money paid. The quality of education was questionable.

“As at August 2022, salaries of lecturers have been paid up to date in AAU. This is a huge achievement for a school owing so much in salaries.

“Since December 2021, only gross salaries have been paid as there have been no deductions; all their entitlements have been paid,” Nehikhare said.

The Communication Commissioner added that the university has provided jobs for members of different localities within the vicinity and have been paid as expected.

“The school has implemented 40,000 learning management systems to ensure lectures continue even when physical classes are not possible.

“The Edo state government takes education seriously and is working assiduously to turn the entire education system around.

“The Edo people should commend what the governor is doing in terms of education in Edo State,” the commissioner added.

Some members of ASUU of the AAU chapter have remained on strike even after the suspension of the strike by the Edo State government due to the inability of the government to fulfil its obligation of the payment of staff compensations, NANS reports.