AGAINST the backdrop of the lingering imbroglio rocking Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, LAUTECH, Ogbomoso, the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU of the institution has expressed concern over the silence of its Chancellor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Adeniyi Gbadegesin and members of Governing Council.
The ASUU chairman, Dr. Abiodun Olaniran while speaking at the South West Group of Online Publisher’s media chat in Ibadan, today said the silence of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu over the matter will not help the institution.
“We are not comfortable with Asiwaju Tinubu’s silence on the matter, he has a significant role to play and we want him to quickly intervene and bring an end to the lingering crisis”.
The Union leader, who was accompanied by his Secretary, Dr. Toyin Abegunrin hinted that the Governing Council and management are yet to say anything over the matter, saying “this is suspicious”, he concluded.
Olaniran further explained that the major problem of LAUTECH is chronic underfunding, stressing that the IGR generated by the university is not enough to run the affairs of the institution.
“As we speak now, LAUTECH can no longer pay for utility services. The institution has been in darkness for some weeks now because they owe IBDEC and others”, the ASUU boss lamented.
He, therefore urged the stakeholders to implore the owners state to faithfully implement the recommendations of Wole Olanipekun led committee’s report .
In his words, “part of the report advocated for immediate payment of N1.77b for the institution by September and another N1.77b to be paid between April-September 2017.
He then declared that the Union is not against forensic auditing of the citadel of learning as being peddled in some quarters.
“ASUU is known for probity and accountability, we are in total support of the exercise, but what we are saying is that the thing must be done according to the dictates of the edict of the University”
