Leaders of non-academic staff union at the Rivers State University of Science and Technoloy (RUST), say they have not abandoned their aggrieved members since the Rivers State government stopped paying them their salaries.

It could be recalled that some non-academic staff in state owned tertiary institutions, primary and secondary schools last Thursday marched to the office of a Port Harcourt-based radio station, appealing to governor Nyesom Wike to rescind his decision to withdraw the payment of their salaries from the coffers of the government.

But a top official of the school, Sidney Eyinda while reaching to the protest explained that management has put palliative measures in place to ensure that staff do not suffer as a result of the government’s decision.

“The university has held several meetings with the persons concerned, and also worked out some palliatives to cushion the effect of the non-payment of salary for some months now,” he said.

According to him, the university  cannot do anything beyond what it has done now because the matter was still in court.

He said it was expected that when the matter comes out from the court, the university can go beyond what it has done.

“We had provided them with some stipends in the past and we are also dong that now to ensure that they can come to work”, he said.

Eyinda also said management has continued to place in the front burner the aggrieved staffs’ welfare because of the importance it attaches to primary and secondary schools in the institutions.

Also reacting to the protest by the aggrieved staff, Registrar of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Ikem Adiele said management gave palliatives to these affected workers just few days ago, and wondered why some of the non-academic staff of the institution joined the protest.

“The school is now privately owned by the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education with particular reference to Demonstration Secondary School, Ndele, and Sea Shell Model Primary School.

“The staff have agreed with the university management to be paid some palliatives while awaiting the court.

“Just few days ago, they were given something as palliatives as agreed with the university management”, he said.

Adiele further appealed to the aggrieved staff to respect the initial agreement they had with the institution’s management.

However, efforts to speak with the protesting staff was not fruitful before going to press.