ASUU, NDU governing council at war over N72m grant

Soji Ajibola, Yenagoa - 06.02.2008

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is at war with the governing council of the Bayelsa State owned University-Niger Delta University (NDU), over the N72 million grant from the state government.

The ASUU of the university, also faulted the appointment of Professor Chris Ikpurukpo and Sir David Sowari as the Vice-Chancellor and the registrar respectively.

Briefing newsmen on Tuesday, the ASUU, through its state chairman, Dr. Inetimiebi Ogidi, accused the university Governing Council of diverting grant meant for the accommodation of some of its members, noting that the said amount was kept in a fixed deposit at the detriment of the staff.

Describing the act as unprofessional, Ogidi said the Governing Council benefitted from where it did not sow, submitting that the grant was released on request by the university chapter of ASUU.

ASUU also alleged the university authorities of illegal deduction, stating that the university authorities illegally deducted the relocation grants paid to some of its members who came to the university on lateral transfer, adding that some of its members were yet to be paid the grant while the ones illegally deducted is yet to be refunded.

Describing the situation as pathetic, the union said in spite of the pressure mounted on the Vice-Chancellor as the Chief Accounting officer of the institution to account for the deducted fund, he remaind undaunted.

The ASUU leadership also regretted the disposition of the Vice-Chancellor to some of the issues affecting its members.