Poor Welfare: RSUST Staff Plan Showdown

Dr Dawari (right) and Mrs Ibim Seminetari, two of the six new commissioner sworn-in yesterday by Rivers State Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, exchanging views after the ceremony. Photo: Chris Monayanaga

As the National Executive Committee of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) prepares to call off its four months old strike, the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) chapter of the union is bracing up for a showdown with the management over alleged insensitivity to their plight.

The union made this position known during a peaceful protest round the campus of the university last Wednesday.

Members who marched round the campus with placards with various inscriptions also urged the intervention of the state government to save the university form further problems.

Addressing newsmen earlier, the RSUST chapter chairperson of the union, Dr  Emilia Jaja accused the management of failing to implement the economic rent which has been implemented by other universities as well as conversion of power generators donated by government to personal use.

Dr Jaja also said that the management has refused to sponsor academic staff for professional conferences, while  refusing to reinstate the payment of salary and rent advances to staff who  may have emergency cases to handle.

“ASUU wishes to inform the governing council that prior to 2007, staff of this university benefited from rent and salary advances. These advances are usually repaid by beneficiaries and deductions are made at source”.

“Given the cost of living in Port Harcourt, total withdrawal of this facility leaves staff hopeless”, she said.

Other issues raised by the union include lack of medical facility on the  campus, no terminal benefit for staff, lack of funding for faculties institutes and department among others.

In his reaction, through a text message the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof B.B Fakae said that the management would not join issues with the lecturers.

“ I cannot join issues with them. Some union leaders are doing this for their selfish interest and fear of confronting change. They are only trying to derail the agenda of the silent majority” he said.