SSANU Seeks Payment Of Check-Off Dues By Edo Government, AAU

The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), South-South Zone, has requested the Government of Edo State and the administration of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, to pay the N1.2 billion check-off dues they owe the union.

SSANU made the plea in a communique dispensed after an emergency meeting held at the university on Thursday. 

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the communique which was signed by the National Vice-President of the zone, Cheta Azumah, the communique said the institution's administration owed members of the SSANU 19 months unremitted check-off dues of N1.2 billion.

The money, it said, was owed to various staff unions and the three cooperative societies.

It added that owing check-off dues to staff unions and three cooperative societies was a complete violation of Section (5) of the Labour Act.

During the meeting, the union decided that the Edo government should change to the release of N270 million monthly subvention as against the current N41 million to the AAU for payment of salaries of staff.

It said the management could not pay its debt due to its inability to pay workers' salaries while enhancing the infrastructure for learning.

SSANU further defined the suspension of all unions’ activities by the state government in the institution as “unconstitutional, null and void.

“That the pronouncement of suspension made by Governor Godwin Obaseki is null and void and of no consequence, having acted beyond his powers.

“This will become clearer when the national strike would have been called off and AAU remains closed,” it said.

It advised the governor to address the issues and protect the image and quality of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) where he belongs.