By Joan Nwagwu
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, (SSANU) has expressed concerns over delay in the payment of salaries of its members since the migration to the Government Integrated Financial and Management Information System(GIFMIS), platform.
Mr Mohammed Ibrahim, President of SSANU said this in a letter addressed to the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF) and made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja.
The letter was titled, “Concern over the consistent delay in the payment of monthly salaries of University workers,”.
Ibrahim in the letter had appealed to the AGF to swiftly intervene to prevent a breakdown of industrial harmony within the tertiary institutions.
“The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) writes to express our deep concern over the consistent delay in the payment of monthly salaries of university workers, particularly since our exit from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS).
“It is regrettable that, since our exit from IPPIS, the salaries of our members are often paid two weeks after salaries have been disbursed to other federal workers.
“This pattern has continued unabated and has become a source of anxiety and resentment among our members. We view this delay not only as an administrative lapse but as a clear act of discrimination against our members.,”he said.
He however reminded the AGF that a key component of the agreement reached between the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of SSANU/NASU and the Federal Government in 2022 that led to the suspension of thei last industrial action was the assurance of no victimisation of its members .
He added that, the continuous delay in salary payment to our members is in breach of this agreement and suggests a punitive response to our union’s lawful decisions and actions.
“This situation is not only unacceptable but also threatens the fragile industrial peace currently being enjoyed in our nation’s university system. SSANU cannot stand by while our members are subjected to such treatment, which undermines their morale and welfare.
“We therefore call on your office to urgently investigate and address this issue by ensuring that university workers receive their salaries in line with the general federal payment schedule.
“Any further delay will be interpreted as deliberate and may compel the union to take necessary steps to protect the rights and dignity of its members.
“We trust in your swift and fair intervention in this matter to prevent a breakdown of industrial harmony within our tertiary institutions.