Varsity Workers Reject FG’s Conditional Payment of Withheld Salaries

Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

University workers under the aegis of the National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) yesterday, rejected a pre-condition set by the federal government for payment of the withheld salaries of its members.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently granted a partial waiver for the staff of tertiary institutions to be paid four out of their eight months salaries seized by government under its policy of “No Work, No Pay.”

The government had said the waiver was granted based on the principles of presidential prerogative of mercy, subject to Federal Ministry of Education and that of Labour and Employment developing a document of Understanding (DoU), before payment of the withheld salaries can be effected.
However, in a statement signed by president of NAAT, Ibeji Nwokoma, the union said it viewed the federal government’s condition as draconian and undermines workers’ fundamental human right to freedom of expression and association guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution.

In the statement, NAAT added: ” It is important to make this press release in view of the recent statement credited to Mr. Ajuri Ngelale, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the president Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the effect that the President has granted a partial waiver to the staff of tertiary institutions based on the principles of presidential prerogative of mercy, subject to Federal Ministry of Education and that of Labour and Employment developing a document of Understanding (DoU), before payment of the withheld salaries can be effected, as widely reported by both electronic and print media.

“The attention of the leadership of our great Union, the NAAT has been drawn to this development which we consider as a matter of great concern and worrisome.
“While we want to commend the President for his magnanimity in granting the partial waiver, we view the condition of DoU as draconian and undermines our fundamental human right to freedom of expression and association guaranteed by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.
“Hence, NAAT rejects in its entirety the idea of DoU as a pre-condition for payment of the withheld salaries of our members”.

NAAT urged Tinubu to rescind on his decision and approve unconditional payment of the withheld salaries immediately.
“It must be noted that the work loss as a result of the strike action has since been covered through extra work hours and students graduated, currently undertaking their mandatory National Youth Service programme as a result, nothing has been lost

“NAAT wishes to call on well-meaning Nigerians to intervene and ensure payment of our withheld salaries in full for a sustainable industrial harmony,” he said.