Members of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) Rivers State University Chapter have pleaded with the State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike to reinstate about 124 members whose appointment had been terminated since March, 2016.
Chairman of SSANU, Comrade Azuma Chikaru made the plea during a solidarity rally organised by the union at the University Complex last Wednesday in Port Harcourt.
Comrade Chikaru said though the National Industrial Court at Abuja and Owerri had ruled that they be reinstated, and their salaries paid to them, the union would want to adopt an alternative means to reach out to the State Government in order to address their plight.
The labour leader lamented that the affected staffers include those of the University International Secondary School, and Primary Staff School.
He narrated that problem began in 2016 when the State Government stopped their salaries on the basis that they are not direct staff of the State Government, but employees of the University Council.
Comrade Chikaru while calling on the state governor to look into the plight of the affected staffers and their families, said, “We are not interested in Court again, this is something that borders on life and survival of these families, and so we are pleading with the governor to please come to our aid. If we have erred, he should please forgive and fake us back”.
Part of the ruling given by the National Industrial Court, Chikaru stated include reinstating them and affirming their status as employees of the State government even though they were employed by the University Council.
He further said the industrial court rulings have been domiciled in the State, after the court vacated a stay of execution earlier sought by the state government on the matter.