Taiwo Oluwadare, Ibadan

The Academic Staff Union of University, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Ogbomoso (LAUTECH) chapter, on Monday, warned that the institution was at the verge of total collapse over lack of infrastructural decay in the institution.

The Union said it was disturbed by the under-funding of the institution by its principals (Osun and Oyo states governments).

ASUU said despite its unrelenting efforts to ensure that abnormalities in the institution are addressed by the governments, the situation was getting worsen, adding that the institution’s best teachers are moving to other institutions where they will be appreciated.

READ ALSO: JUST IN: Osinbajo, Senate Leader in closed door meeting

The Union, in a statement jointly signed by its chairman,  Biodun Olaniyan and Secretary, Toyin Abegunrin, said Osun and Oyo state governments should be blamed for whatever happens to the institution.

The statement read in part, “Recall that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) LAUTECH branch in the press statement of the July 26, 2018 warned about the impeding crises in the University due to governments’ refusal to fund the University as part of their cardinal responsibilities to the Nigerian masses.

“This has led to the accumulation of unpaid salaries. Prompt payment of salaries which is a major motivating ingredient of productivity has become a mirage in our erstwhile glorious and exemplary state University which in the past, was the glory of Oyo and Osun states.

“Presently, suffering and uncertainty of survival means have become the abiding companions of staff members. After the alarm raised in said release by the Union, one would expect that a sensitive government would have responded positively towards averting the looming crises.

Related News

“However to our dismay, nothing was said or done on the release. It is unfortunate that about 8 months after the suspension of strike in the University, all the promises of the University Governing Council (GC) that led to the suspension have not been fulfilled.

“It is saddening to report that up till now, the members of staff are being owed 10 months salary, promotion arrears, among other allowances. Salaries are being paid through Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) majorly  from school fees.

READ ALSO: Asaba 2018: Casual workers protest unpaid allowances

“It should be recalled that the Union also called on the members of the public to reach out to the Visitors to do the needful. Up till now, no response of any sort was received.

“Flowing from the litany of misfortunes foisted on the University by the government, as enumerated above, our Union is left with no other option than to call out our members once again to return to the trenches in search of lasting solution to the crises.

“It is painful and unfortunate that the Union is being forced, at this point in time, to resume its suspended action. Members of the public should therefore blame the government, not ASUU, for this sad turn of event.”