ASUU UniAbuja Chapter Urges FG To Release White Paper

[Shola Sholaz]

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), University of Abuja chapter, on Friday called for the release and immediate implementation of the White Paper by the Federal Government.
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Dr Ben Ugheoke, the branch Chairman said in Gwagwalada that a Special Visitation Panel (SVP) was inaugurated by the government in July 2012 to audit the institution following the alleged mismanagement of funds by the vice-chancellor.
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Ugheoke said that the white paper was yet to be released.
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He said that the union could not interpret the government's silence on the recommendation on its own panel, and resolved to embark on an indefinite strike on June 2.
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"ASUU frowned at this unfortunate act of unholy silence taking cognisance of the huge amount of public funds that was expended in running the panel for over eight weeks.
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"In defence, ASUU resolved to demand that the governing council of the university ensures the immediate release of the white paper on the report.''
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The chairman said the check-off dues of the union be restored and remitted to its account, adding that all claims and arrears owed to its members since 2010 be paid.
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According to him, the law of the Trade Union Act of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2005 as amended provided the following in Section 16 (A).
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"An employer shall make deduction from the wages of every worker who is a member of any of the trade unions for the purpose of paying contribution to the trade union so registered.
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"An employer shall remit such deduction to the registered office of the trade union within a reasonable period or such period, as may be prescribed from time to time by the registrar.''
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He said that the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. James Adelabu, had disobeyed the law by allegedly deducting check- off dues in April 2013 from the union's account, but had refused to refund it.
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The chairman said that until the white paper on the report of the SVP was released, the union's check-off dues restored and the deduction made by the vice-chancellor remitted, the strike would continue.