Commandant, Air Force Institute of Technology, Air Commodore Musibau Soladoye (left), receiving Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Fund (Tetfund), Prof. Suleiman Bogoro, at the 44th Air Force Institute of Technology Convocation Lecture in Kaduna, recently. Photo: NAN

The recalled striking
lecturers of the Rivers State University of  Science and Technology (RSUST) who were reinstated by the State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, have started receiving their dues.
Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), in the institution, Dr Puyate Suobere Taderigha, who made this revelation to The Tide in a telephone interview, said the lecturers were paid their salaries for July  2015.
He also stated that the arrears of their salaries from 2012 when they embarked on the strike had been computed and sent to government.
In addition to this, Dr Puyate said, “the new administration has directed the Bursar to restore our union dues since 2010, and replaced the destroyed vehicle of ASUU by student union executives assisted by the (Professor Barineme) Fakae – led administration and  the police at Nkpolu Police Station.”
The RSUST ASUU boss further revealed that a new 16 Seater Toyata Hiace bus of 2015 model was used to replace the destroyed vehicle, while appraisals for promotions of lecturers is on- going.
Meanwhile, he continued that the criteria for promotion put in place by the former vice chancellor had been cancelled and notional promotion of the erstwhile Vice Chancellor has also been cancelled.
Also, in furtherance of creating acrimony free relationship, cases that were in court are to be withdrawn and cases of lecturers who were being victimized are currently being settled administratively.
In the same vein, students affected by the problems associated with the lecturers strike are also being settled along with all other problems emanating from the lecturers strike.
It will be recalled that some lecturers of the institution under the aegis of ASUU opposed the alleged imposition of Professor Fakae for a second term in 2012 by the then Rt Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi – led state government.
On being sworn in as Governor of the State, on May 29, 2015, however, Chief Nyesom Wike directed the reinstatement of all affected lecturers and all their dues being accorded them.

Sogbeba Dokubo