The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has rejected the decision of the management of Ekiti State University (EKSU) Ado-Ekiti to introduce a new tax regime to be paid by staff. Addressing newsmen on Friday in Ado-Ekiti, the ASUU-EKSU chairman, Dr Kayode Arogundade said members of the union had been subjected to poor treatment with non-payment of their nine months salaries, adding that the new tax regime must be aborted. He described the introduction of the tax regime as an act of insensitivity, noting that if the university must continue to enjoy relative peace their yearnings must be adequately addressed. The ASUU chairperson revealed that what their members pay as the tax was too high compared to other universities, urging management to device other means if they desired to raise revenue. He threatened that the lecturers would no longer cooperate with the management and the state government if they failed to place more priority on their welfare. Dr Arogundade said, ” We are obliged to reiterate that, if the university must continue to enjoy the relative peace presently prevailing then, the outrageous and obnoxious tax regime being planned for implementation should be aborted outrightly. ” We do not understand the logic of Government or EKSU administration and its attempt to commence on implementation of a prohibitive tax regime, even when they are still owing us various sums of money including salaries and allowances, Excess workload and Earned Academic allowances and four months statutory government’s subventions to the university. ” With these developments, let it be known that we are prepared to go all length at protecting the interests and welfare of our members. However, all our members have been put on red alert for a possible action if the university administration continues to exhibit its cruelty and nonchalant behaviour towards our welfare. “It surprises us that the university is owing nine months salary when we are being owed four months subvention. We found out that it was because the wage bill has increased to N502 million when the subvention is N260m. The shortfall comes from our IGR, which will be difficult for the university to meet monthly.” Meanwhile, the authorities of the university have suspended the controversial tax policy and presentation of primary six certificates imposed on the staff of the institution. The decision was reached after the management of the institution under the leadership of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Edward Olanipekun met with the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) of the University In a statement, the Head, Directorate of Information & Corporate Affairs of the institution, Bode Olofinmuagun said the management would further deliberate and meet with concern stakeholders so as to resolve the matter.
Source: Nigeria Headline
