By Auwal Mohammad
Gombe (Nigeria) – Non-Academic staff of Federal University Kashere, in Gombe State, northeast have alleged victimization, intimidation, withdrawal of staff buses, water Tanker and non-payment of hazard allowances by the management of the Institute.
The allegation was made in a Union congress report signed by the Chairman, Mustapha Muktar and the Secretary, Sa’idu Abubakar Baba, and made available to newsmen in Gombe on Sunday.
The duo said alledged that the management has denied union members study leave with pay, or work study leave without pay for period of one year, withdrawal of staff buses that use to take their members from Gombe to Kashere daily, promotion, not allowing their member to attend seminars and training workshops.
The Union added that the management has also removed the allowances that have been approved by the University Governing Council on agreement between Federal Government and their Union in 2009, for allowances covering hazards, call/shift of duty and overtime/ responsibility.
They also alleged wrong deduction of money from pioneer staff, who enjoyed first 28-days allowance that was approved by the federal government without any circular from the management, which has grossly affected staff’s July 2017 salaries, where some members collected less than pay and many others have negative account stipulated as monthly salaries.
Speaking to Newsmen on the issue, Vice Chancellor of the University Prof Alhassan Gani, said the Buses and water Tankers were acquired to serve students’ need in the university, the buses was for field trips, excursion and other outdoor activities of the students.
“There is only one water tanker that provides water to university, if and when students and staff offices lack water, there will be serious health and social crises that will be difficult to handle, moreover there are sufficient water tankers in Gombe to provide water to staff residing there.
“The university conditions of service are very clear on how staff can proceed on study leave and any staff that start a study without approval has erred and will be sanctioned, for promotion of deserving staff are guided by our condition of service and number of staff both academic and non-academic have been sponsored to attend seminars and conferences this year are many.”
Prof Gani said, “On the issues of hazard allowance, it is paid to entitled staff from the personnel vote, similarly, the call/shift duty, overtime and responsibility allowances are paid to deserving staff.”
He said the university management periodically interfaces with union executives and the university congregation with the view to carrying all and sundry aboard in the governance of the institution, adding that such forum enables them to receive suggestions comments and commendation and to also discuss issues pertaining to growth and development of the university.
“The issues pointed by the union were discussed at both managerial and council levels and settled since last year, it is really perplexing to hear them resurfacing again.”
“The Act establishing the university does not give room for everybody to be promoted at once, there are processes to be followed.”
He urged the workers to allow peace to reign, return to their duty posts and see reason with management.