IAR&T Staff Protest Non Payment Of December, January Salaries

Worried by the non payment of December and January salaries, workers at the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, IAR&T Ibadan have protested to demand their wages.

The peaceful protest, which took place within the Institute, had in attendance the heads of Non Academic Staff of Universities, NASU, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, National Association of Academic Technologies, (NAAT) and Senior Staff Association of Universities Teaching Hospital , Research Institute and Allied Institutions (SSAUTHRIAI).

SSANU Chairman, Comrade Agbaje Michael, disclosed in an interview that the protest was to demand for their salaries so that the Federal Government could do the needful as quick as possible .

“Our protest is to let the management know that we are suffering and for them to expedite actions, although they told us that they have written letters to the Ministry, that is not enough,” he said.

NASU Chairman, Osadiya Adewumi stated that workers at the Institute had a bleak Christmas and New Year as they were not given December and January salaries and that their was no money to buy drugs for those who are on medication and their elderly families.

He however urged the management to go to Abuja over the issue, while threatening to report to the NASU headquarters in Abuja for immediate actions.

“Our people are trekking to work daily, we will soon embark on no pay no work strategy to press for our demand,” he said.

A National Executive Member of NASU, Comrade Oladeinde Emmanuel, in his own words, stated that the protest should have come earlier before now, but that they were waiting for the management to take actions as regards the salary arrears.

He disclosed that the claim by the Federal Government that wages increment was responsible for the delay was not accepted since it did not affect some sister institutions.

While responding, the Executive Director of IAR&T, Prof. Veronica Obatolu stated that the Management felt that the plight of the entire staffs of the institute may likely be an omission on December salary and that the Federal Ministry of Finance is working on it. The Director affirmed that the management had been to Abuja to lodge complaints, and had also written to complain.

While appealing to the workers to be calm and do their work diligently, she assured them that the issue will be resolved very soon.

“I am sure the Ministry and the Federal Government is aware and work is going on to have it resolved, she stated.