Just In: Another problem silently brewing in LAUTECH
Another crises may be silently brewing in Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, LAUTECH, Ogbomoso, as Academic Staff Union (ASUU) has vowed not to comply with the school management directives on staff verification at Agodi.
Mouthpiece NGR learnt from a source in the school that the Union at its congress on Friday resolved not to fill any form and directed that no member should appear for any audit exercise in relation to the circular.
The school management in a copy of a letter made available to this reporter, had informed all members of staff that they are to submit staff verification forms earlier distributed to them and do their data capturing at the House of Chief, Agodi, Ibadan on the following days from 8.00a.m: Wednesday, February 5, 2020; Wednesday, February 12, 2020 and Thursday, February 13, 2020.
The statement added that “Please note that forms are to be submitted only after they have been signed by the Registrar and Bursar.”
“Staff are to take along originals and photocopies of their relevant credentials and other necessary documents such as their letters of appointments, promotion, confirmation of appointment, birth certificates, six (6) months payslip, etc.”
“Please ensure that your BVN is correct.”
In a swift reaction, the Academic staff Union at its congress held at 250LTH on Friday, after exhaustive deliberations resolved as follows;
“That our Union is not averse in any way to any form of audit, transparent and accountability exercise, however, such exercise must be in line with The Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Act 2003 which vested such power in the Governing Council of the University.”
“That our members in administrative positions can sign the form for personnel(non-teaching) under their authorities after educating such person of the danger involved.
Solidarity forever!”
At the time of filling this report, it’s not clear whether Non teaching staff will comply with the directives.
ASUU is said to be relying on Section 2AA of Amended University Act which stated that any establishment circulars that are inconsistent with the laws and statutes of the university shall not apply to the universities.
The universities amendment act 2003 which was sighted by Mouthpiece NGR reporter stated that “ 2AA. The powers of the Council shall be exercised, as in the Law
the Council and Statutes of each University and to that extent establishment circulars that are inconsistent with the Laws and Statutes of the University shall not apply to the Universities.
From the above, Mouthpiece NGR understands that it’s only the council of the university that can perform such functions.
“2AAA. (1) The Governing Council of a university shall be free in the discharge of its functions and exercise of its responsibilities for the good management, growth and development.
“(2) The Council of a university in the discharge of its functions shall ensure that disbursement of funds of the University complies with the approved budgetary, ratio for- (a) personnel cost:
(b) overhead cost;
(c) research and development;
(d) library developments; and
(e) the balance in expenditure between academic vis-à-vis non
Mouthpiece NGR recall that the former Governor of Oyo state, Abiola Ajimobi had face off with the Unions when he directed KPMG to audit the school account. Ajimobi threatened he will not pay any money again until the books are properly audited.
The position of the ASUU then was that, government doesn’t have the power to carry out staff audit but Council.
As it stands, the university is either with a recognized council Head/ members or unconstitutional members in line with the act that established the school.
The directives taken by Makinde administration has continued to generate tension whether the government will later threaten to stop injecting funds as ASUU has maintained not to fill any form or appear in Agodi for staff audit.
Stay with Mouthpiece NGR for more updates!