The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Abia State University (ABSU) Chapter, has refuted the Abia State Government's recent announcement that all ABSU staff have received their April and May salaries. In a statement released on June 22, 2024, the union clarified the actual situation regarding salary payments in the university.
According to a press statement jointly signed by Dr. Chidi S. Mbah, Chairperson, ASUU-ABSU, and Dr. Victor U. Obisike, Secretary, ASUU-ABSU, only a handful of staff whose salary accounts are with commercial banks have received their April salary, while fewer have received their May salary. Some staff who received their May salary did not receive their April salary in the same bank.
The union highlighted instances of unexplained deductions ranging from N8,000 to N53,000 made on the paid one month salary at source. Moreover, none of the majority of staff whose salaries are domiciled with the ABSU Microfinance bank and teaching staff of Abia State University Teaching Hospital have received any payments for either April or May, causing significant financial strain, panic, and uncertainty among the staff.
The ASUU-ABSU Chapter expressed concern over the staggered payment system, which has made it difficult for the unions to ascertain the status of their check-off dues. The union reminded the government that the 11-month outstanding salary arrears remain unpaid, despite repeated assurances.
The union appealed to the government to refrain from politicizing the issue of salary payments in ABSU and to acknowledge the financial hardships faced by the university staff. They urged the government to take immediate action to ensure that all outstanding salaries, including the arrears, are paid promptly and in full.
The union also appealed to Governor Alex Chioma Otti to intervene in the matter, citing his standing instruction to pay all workers of the state government not later than 28th of every month.
