SSANU wants recovered funds injected into economy for jobs creation

May strike over sack of Abuja varsity staff
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) has urged the Federal Government to inject funds recovered from the anti-corruption fight into the economy to create jobs in the country.

It argued that while democracy allows agitations, there was the need for Nigerian workers to unite against poverty, deprivation and exploitation by the elite and ruling class.

The association in a communiqué signed by its National President, Samson Ugwoke, and the National Public Relations Officer, Salaam Abdussobur, after its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting at the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, said the country would gain more by staying together than disintegrating.

SSANU bemoaned the precarious and pitiable condition of Nigerian workers in the face of the present economic realities and urged government to take proactive measures to end hardship and suffering in the country.

“NEC noted that the costs of food items and basic commodities are beyond the reach of the average Nigerian worker, while building materials have become so costly that the common man can no longer afford a decent home,” the communiqué said.

It also urged the Federal Government to plough back recovered funds into the economy to exit recession.

“NEC advises government to announce the huge sums of money so far recovered from looters and immediately plough back these huge amounts into the Nigerian economy, as saving these monies while Nigerians starve makes no meaning.

“This will give verve to government’s transparency and accountability, especially in the fight against corruption,” it added.

It called on government to introduce policies that would attract investors and prevent oligopolies in the food and building industries to protect the masses from exploitation.

SSANU decried the delay in the negotiation of the minimum wage and urged government to speed up the process.

It also urged government to urgently implement the earned allowance owed its members, saying, “NEC in session demands implementation of the payment of earned allowances being owed members of SSANU arising from the SSANU/FGN 2009 Agreement as the continued delay is a breach of a Collective Bargaining Agreement and a dishonorable act on the part of government.”

SSANU bemoaned the sack of its branch chairman and secretary of the union at the University of Abuja.

“NEC noted with dismay and shock, the breaches and administrative infractions perpetrated by the authorities at the University of Abuja, leading to the suspension and termination of appointments of the Branch Chairman and Secretary of SSANU at the university.

“NEC noted that the process leading to these actions were un-procedural, unlawful and unconstitutional. NEC, therefore, urges the Minister of Education to prevail on the Governing Council of the university to immediately recall our illegally terminated officers to avert a national industrial crisis,” it stated.

SSANU also decried the abandonment of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) owned by Oyo and Osun states, saying the action of the two state governments was jeopardising the careers of its members, students and other members of the university community.