LAUTECH: Management, Staff at loggerheads over directives
Following the directive of Governor Makinde that all schools in the state be shut down as a precautionary measure to prevent the spread of coronavirus, the management and staff have been at loggerheads over the matters.
In a memo signed by Dr. Kayode A. Ogunleye, and sighted by MouthpieceNGR, the management stated that despite being aware of the challenges associated with the outbreak of the virus, the school is taking appropriate steps at guiding against its spread in the University.
The statement added that it is consequent upon this that the University authority is complying with instructions from the appropriate organs of governments on the matter.
“it is imperative to call on the staff of the university not to take instructions to stay away from work from unofficial quarters as it is the University Management that can give such order based on further directive of the Governments.
“Any action contrary to the directive of the Management will be viewed as an affront and would be treated in line with the University rules and regulations on such matters.”
Meanwhile there are indications that some staff of the institution are not in conformity with the directive. It was gathered that some staff on Monday boycotted the management directives by failing to resume works.
A staff member who preferred to be anonymous while speaking with MouthpieceNGR said the management stated clearly that it is complying with the instructions of the government to prevent the spread of coronavirus and still directing its staff to be coming for work.
He wondered why Management want the staff to be coming to work when students have already been sent home.
The further instruction that all staff of the University must come to work is a disregard for an executive order issued by the Governor who is the head of the task force to prevent the spread of the virus in Oyo State that all schools in the State should be closed till after Easter holiday.”
The memo is a reply to an earlier statement issued by the schools chapter of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, where members were informed to observe the stay at home directive for one month with effect from 23rd March 2020, as contained in the circular of the National Universities Commission (NUC) dated 20th March 2020, to all Nigerian Universities with immediate effect.
Efforts to get the reactions of management proved abortive as text messages sent to the PRO, Vice Chancellor yet to be replied.
At the time of filling this report, Oyo state has recorded 1 confirmed case making it 44 on the list of NCDC in the country.