ASUU TARABA CHAPTER VOICES CONCERN OVER ABSENCE OF PENSION SCHEME AND DELAY IN PAYMENT OF EARNED ACADEMIC ALLOWANCES

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) chapter at Taraba State University, represented by Mbave Joshua, has expressed profound concerns regarding several issues affecting lecturers. Chief among these grievances is the substantial backlog of earned academic allowances, which has accumulated to a significant sum of 1.7 billion Naira. Joshua underscores the imperative for the state government to honor its commitment and expeditiously settle these outstanding dues.

Moreover, during a recent congress meeting, the union voiced dismay over the absence of a pension scheme for its members, alongside the protracted delay in clearing backlog salaries and promotion arrears. These financial impediments have markedly impacted the well-being and morale of lecturers within the institution.

In addition to the fiscal challenges, the ASUU Taraba State University chapter also draws attention to security concerns within the campus precincts. Instances of assaults by miscreants and abductors have surged in frequency due to the porous perimeter of the campus. The union calls for urgent measures to hasten the completion of the school’s perimeter fence to ensure the safety of faculty and students.

In response to the union’s grievances, Augustina Godwin, the Taraba State Commissioner for Education, rebuffs the demands made by ASUU. She contends that the issues raised were inherited by the present administration under Governor Agbu Kefas and asserts that measures are being taken to redress the concerns voiced by the union.

The impasse between ASUU Taraba State University chapter and the state government underscores the critical need for comprehensive reforms in the education sector. The unresolved financial obligations and security deficiencies not only impact the welfare of lecturers but also jeopardize the overall standard of education and security within the university milieu.

As discussions persist between ASUU and the Taraba State government, it is imperative for stakeholders to prioritize the resolution of these pivotal issues to cultivate an academic milieu conducive to scholarship and inquiry. It remains essential for both parties to engage in constructive discourse and collaborative endeavors to devise enduring solutions to the challenges confronting the education sector in Taraba State.