The Bayelsa State Government has approved the implementation of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) and the Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance (CONTTA) for academic and non-academic staff of its three universities.
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The Deputy Governor, Dr Peter Akpe, announced the approval at a resumed meeting with the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in the Niger Delta University (NDU), Bayelsa Medical University (BMU) and the University of Africa, Toru-Orua (UAT), at his office in Government House, Yenagoa, on Friday.
In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr Doubara Atasi, the Deputy Governor said the approval followed a resolution recently passed by the State House of Assembly and communicated to Governor Douye Diri for consideration and approval.
Dr Akpe explained that the financial implication of implementing the allowances would amount to an additional monthly expenditure of more than ₦500 million across the three universities.
According to him, the state government would commence payment of the wage increase, totalling about ₦2.25 billion, by October this year, while the 25 to 35 per cent wage award arrears are scheduled for payment next year.
He underscored the labour-friendly disposition of the Governor Douye Diri-led Prosperity Administration, stressing that the executive and legislative arms of the state government had worked together to comprehensively address ASUU’s demands and avoid frequent disruption of academic activities in the state-owned universities.
Dr Akpe urged ASUU to call off its ongoing indefinite strike to strengthen the prevailing cordial relationship between government and labour and in the interest of the students.
He assured the union that the government had already captured the payment of the outstanding arrears in its 2027 budget.
He said:
“His Excellency, the Governor does not want any kind of fracas or friction with labour. So, he has graciously approved, even though we saw some strong elements of intimidation from the ASUU end.
“We decided not to toe that path in the interest of our children and the good relationship we have maintained with labour over the years as a government.
“We wrote to the Assembly because of the huge amount involved in the implementation. They (the Assembly) approved the payment on the proposed dates and also added the arrears in the 2027 budget.
“This is the position of government, and I believe that with the short discussion we have had here today, we have met most, if not all, of your demands. And so, let’s now allow normalcy to return to our universities.”
In their separate responses, the immediate past Zonal Coordinator of the ASUU Port Harcourt Zone, Prof. Stanley Ogoun, and the Chairperson of the ASUU NDU Chapter, Dr Oyinkepreye Bebeteidoh, commended the state government for its efforts towards addressing the union’s demands.
Addressing Government House correspondents shortly after the meeting, Dr Bebeteidoh assured that the three ASUU chairpersons had agreed to immediately convene their respective congresses to brief their members on the government’s latest position, which she described as impressive.
Flanked by the Chairperson of BMU, Dr Sylva Ligeiaziba, and her counterpart at the University of Africa, Toru-Orua, Dr Sunny Abeki, the NDU ASUU leader, however, expressed commitment to following due process in calling off the ongoing industrial action.
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