The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities
(SSANU) has urged the Federal Government to inject recovered loot into the economy to create jobs.
It appealed to workers to unite against poverty, deprivation
and exploitation by the elite and the ruling class.
The association, in a communiqué signed by its National
President, Samson Ugwoke, and National
Public Relations Officer, Salaam Abdussobur, after its National Executive
Council (NEC) meeting at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun
State, said the country would gain more by staying together than
disintegrating.
SSANU bemoaned the precarious and pitiable condition of
workers in the face of the present economic realities and urged government to
take proactive measures to end hardship and suffering in the country.
“NEC noted that the costs of food items and basic
commodities are beyond the reach of the average Nigerian worker, while building
materials have become so costly that the common man can no longer afford a
decent home,” the union said.
It also urged the Federal Government to plough back
recovered funds into the economy to exit recession.
“NEC advises the government to announce the huge sums of
money so far recovered from looters and immediately plough back these huge
amounts into the economy, as saving these money while Nigerians starve makes no
meaning.
“This will give verve to government’s transparency and
accountability, especially in the fight against corruption,” it added.
It called on the government to introduce policies that would
attract investors and prevent oligopolies in the food and building industries
to protect the masses from exploitation.
SSANU decried the delay in the negotiation of the minimum
wage and urged government to speed up the process.
It also urged government to urgently implement the earned
allowance owed its members, saying, “NEC in session demands 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 dishonourable act on the part of government.”
SSANU bemoaned the sack of its branch chairman and secretary of the union at the University
of Abuja.
“NEC noted with dismay and shock, the breaches and
administrative infractions perpetrated by the authorities at the University of
Abuja, leading to the suspension and termination of appointments of the Branch
Chairman and Secretary of SSANU at the university.
“NEC noted that the process leading to these actions were
un-procedural, unlawful and unconstitutional. NEC, therefore, urges the
Minister of Education to prevail on the Governing Council of the university to
immediately recall our illegally terminated officers to avert a national
industrial crisis,” it stated.
SSANU also decried the abandonment of Ladoke Akintola
University of Technology (LAUTECH) owned by Oyo and Osun states, saying the
action of the two state governments was jeopardising the careers of its
members, students and other members of the university community.
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