Labour Unions In Ekiti Govt Owned Institutions Accuse Gov Fayemi Of Starvation

By Ayodele Oni

Failure of Ekiti State Government to release subventions to some of its parastatals and institutions for  months may have set workers of the affected agencies against the State Government.

In a swift move seen as one to avert a bleak yuletide celebration, industrial unions in those institutions have given a 24 hour ultimatum to Government to release subventions to the affected establishments.

Governor Kayode Fayemi had, during his address to stakeholders five months ago, said that the State could no longer continue to release subventions to those benefitting agencies due to short fall in funds accruing to the state from federation account.

Salaries of top civil servants and political appointees were also slashed with a promise to restore them when the state becomes buoyant.

However, from investigation it was revealed that full salary has been restored to the affected personnel, while amount deducted had been refunded.

But the leadership of Staff of various sub-venting institutions said on Monday that the state government has failed to restore Subventions to their institutions despite improve revenue and grant from Federal Government.

They have threatened to declare an industrial dispute with the State Government over the failure to pay outstanding subventions to their institutions which stands at five months.

The affected institutions are: Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Bamidele Olumilua University of Science and Technology, IKere Ekiti, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital and Ekiti State College of Health, Sciences and Technology, Ijero-Ekiti.

Labour leaders under the umbrella of Joint Action For Committee Of Sub-Venting Institutions, told journalists in Ado Ekiti that they could no longer continue to suffer.

They have, therefore, given Governor Fayemi 24hrs ultimatum to defray the five months arrears or face the wrath of the joint unions.

The Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Ekiti State University Ado Ekiti, Mr Kayode Arogundade, who spoke on behalf of the unions, explained that they could no longer tolerate the deliberate disrespect for subventing institutions.

He appealed to various stakeholders in the state to prevail on Governor Fayemi to do the needful as the unions should not be blamed for any of their action.

In a statement titled ‘Governor Fayemi’s Flagrant Refusal To Defray Our  Five Months Outstanding Subventions Is a Keg Of Gunpowder,’ Mr Arogundade explained that the refusal of the Governor to make the payment has led to unpaid salaries and thus subjecting workers to hardship.

“The sub-venting institutions in Ekiti State will like to appeal to stakeholders to help reach out to the State Governor on the need to deviate from his inept plan at destroying the state further before his exit from office.”

According to the unions spokesman, the agitation of the group was premised on what it tagged Unending deceit on monthly statutory allocation to the state.

He also accused the state government of “absolute abandonment of subventing institutions in the state on the altar of political mediocrity, constant delay in release of subventions.

“Connivance with the NLC leadership in the state to sabotage their efforts and refusal to defray the five months outstanding subventions.

“But for the intervention of all Unions across campuses and that of Tetfund, Needs assessment, WHO, UNICEF and philanthropic gesture of some well meaning Ekiti sons and daughters, our subventing institutions are no way different from glorified secondary schools and road side patent medicine stores.

“Who would ever think that the calibre of JKF would treat our dear State this way? We marched into this administration, with hopes, but now, our hopes appear dashed.

“Meanwhile, we still strongly hope that this government will retrace its steps and give us an experience we can always relish after his tenure. A stitch in time they say saves nine.

Ekiti State government has reacted through the Commissioner for Information, Mr Akin Omole, who’s said the group would soon be meeting with the Governor and the outcome would be made known.