The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Akwa Ibom State University Branch, has decried poor funding, calling for increment in the monthly subvention to the institution.
The union urged Governor Umo Eno, “To increase subvention to AKSU as the current N325 million monthly subvention is grossly inadequate to address needs of the University. ASUU-AKSU calls for increment in subvention to not less than N500 million in line with economic realities of the day.
ASUU-AKSU Branch Chairperson, Comrade Inyang Udosen, who expressed the Union’s concern in a statement Wednesday in Uyo, condemned governments’ indifference towards academic freedom and autonomy in the nation’s public varsities, which induces mass brain drain.
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Udosen abhorred Governor Eno’s nonchalance to the progress of AKSU, describing the disposition as a threat to industrial harmony in the institution.
While calling on the visitor and governor of the state, Umo Eno, to constitute the Governing Council without delay, Udosen explained that the call for increased funding from the present N325m to N500m subvention became necessary to address the erratic power supply and recruit more academic staff to reduce the workload of lecturers
The statement read in part, “Since the expiration of the tenure of the last Governing Council in June 2023, ASUU Branch notes
with deep regret that there is no council to run and regulate the affairs of the university which is exactly one year after expiration of the last council.
“The state governor who is the visitor, during his meeting and interaction with all the staff unions of the university on February 7, 2024 promised to set up the council.
“ASUU-AKSU Branch frowns at the non-constitution of the Governing Council and hereby uses this medium to remind the governor of his promise to do so and appeals to him to constitute it without any further delay.
Udosen stated, “Since the expiration of the tenure of the last Governing Council in June 2023, there is no Council to run and regulate affairs in AKSU exactly one year after the expiration of the last Council.
“The State Governor who is the Visitor, during interaction with all Staff Unions in AKSU 7 February 2024 promised to set up the Council. ASUU-AKSU frowns at the non-constitution of the Governing Council by the Visitor to the University and appeals to him to constitute it without further delay.”
“Since 13 years after its establishment, Akwa Ibom State University does not have any hostel facility for her students.This anomaly exposes students to danger and exploitation in the surrounding community.
“The Union calls on the State Government to build hostels for students on both lkot Akpaden and Obio Akpa Campuses of the University.
“The University needs to recruit more academic staff as members of ASUU-AKSU are complaining of excessive workload and work-induced stress inimical to academic growth and health of the University system.
“ASUU-AKSU expresses grave concern about insufficient power supply in Obio Akpa Campus which is only available between the hours of 9:00a.m. to 2:00p.m. daily. This rationed power cannot support academic learning, teaching and research.
“Members of ASUU-AKSU express dismay at non-payment of Earned Academic Allowances (EAA) to academic staff in Akwa in Ibom State University.
“Academic staff in AKSU are enormously stretched, overworked and stressed due to heavy workloads and schedules without any commensurate remuneration for efforts in helping the University meet its obligations to the State and Nation in general.
“ASUU-AKSU clearly states that if the issue of EAA is not addressed and implemented in AKSU, it could breed dissatisfaction that will lead to industrial disharmony in the University.
“Address the lingering issues so as to prevent industrial disharmony in the University and the University system can support research development, innovation and contribute meaningfully to both local as well as national growth and development,” the statement added.
