The Management of Ebonyi State University has called on striking unions in the institution to embrace dialogue as they push for their demands.
The unions – the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Other Associated Institutions, and the National Association of Academic Technologists had on Thursday embarked on an indefinite strike over what they described as nonpayment of their salaries and other entitlement.
The Public Relations Officer of the institution, Patrick Itumo, on Thursday, made the plea on behalf of the management in Abakaliki.
He said, “The Management is surprised that the unions decided to embark on strike at this time in spite of the deep and far-reaching consultations it had with them.
“During the consultations, management has always laid bare, the financial status of the university. By the grace of God, management has been able to pay salaries up to March 2023.
“Governor David Umahi has promised to give EBSU a grant to pay the remaining April 2023 salary,”
He added that the Governing Council at its emergency meeting with the unions on May 9, assured the unions of the unequivocal commitment of the management to settle the April and May 2023 salaries before the exit of this administration.
While calling on the striking unions to go back to work, he noted that, “The management is committed to settling the outstanding 20% arrears of salaries cut from the Covid-19 era. To ignore the appeals of EBSU Governing Council does not speak well.”