Industrial crisis: UniAbuja VC calls for dialogue

The Vice-Chancellor, University of Abuja (UniAbuja), Prof. Michael Adikwu, on Friday urged the local branch of the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Universities (SSANU) to resolve its differences with management through dialogue.
Adikwu told newsmen in Abuja that rather than threat and confrontation, members of SSANU should seek peace if they desired the growth of the institution.
It will be recalled that SSANU, UniAbuja chapter, recently held its congress and threatened to down tools by May 2, if its members’ salaries were not paid in full.
However, the vice-chancellor said that his administration was poised to promoting labour friendly environment that would bring out the best from every worker and guarantee the continued development of the university.
Adikwu assured that staffers would continue to receive their salaries in full.
He said that if there were any issue that would warrant part payment of salary, the affected staffers would be consulted before decisions were taken.
According to him, he is not shielding corrupt officials as several investigation committees are being set up on all reported cases.
He urged any worker that had strong evidence of corrupt practices by any member of staff to come forward.
“On the issue of employment of new staff, those recruited were mostly medical doctors who were already teaching in their hospitals and some of whom were from the National Hospital as part of the drive to secure the accreditation of those courses.
“We only regularised those on month to month basis (temporary) appointment; most of whom were employed by the previous administration, and who had spent two years; they were now given what is called confirmation of appointment.
“Even the number of staff whose appointments have been regularised now may look big, but when you look at it we need more staff if we must get accreditation for our college of medicine; we do not even have staff at the clinical level,” he said.
He said that instead of dictating to the governing council, SSANU should petition the council with proven evidence of non-conformity.
Adikwu added that the concerns expressed by the union on the plight of the widows had been noted, promising that they will also be absorbed into the system at the appropriate time. (NAN)