Bayelsa approves CATA, urges ASUU to call off strike

n n

Gov Diri

n

By Samuel Oyadongha, Yenagoa

n

YENAGOA: The Bayelsa State Government has approved the implementation of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) and Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance (CONTTA) for academic and non-teaching staff of the state’s three universities.

n

The Deputy Governor, Dr Peter Akpe, announced the approval on Friday at a resumed meeting with the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) representing Niger Delta University (NDU), Bayelsa Medical University (BMU) and University of Africa, Toru-Orua (UAT), in Yenagoa.

n

In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr Doubara Atasi, Akpe said the approval followed a resolution recently passed by the state House of Assembly and communicated to Governor Douye Diri for consideration and approval.

n

He explained that the financial implication of implementing the allowances would increase the government’s monthly expenditure by more than N500 million across the three universities.

n

According to him, the state government will commence payment of the wage increase, totalling about N2.25 billion, by October 2026, while arrears of the 25 to 35 per cent wage award are scheduled for payment next year.

n

Akpe underscored the labour-friendly disposition of the Diri administration, stressing that the executive and legislative arms of government had worked together to comprehensively address ASUU’s demands and prevent frequent disruption of academic activities in the state-owned universities.

n

He urged ASUU to call off its ongoing indefinite strike in the interest of students and to strengthen the prevailing relationship between the government and organised labour.

n

The deputy governor assured the union that the government had captured payment of the outstanding arrears in its 2027 budget.

n

His words: “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.

n

“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.

n

“We wrote to the Assembly because of the huge amount involved in the implementation. They approved the payment on the proposed dates and also added the arrears in the 2027 budget.

n

“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.”

n

In separate responses, the immediate past Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, Port Harcourt Zone, Prof. Stanley Ogoun, and the Chairperson of ASUU, NDU Chapter, Dr Oyinkepreye Bebeteidoh, commended the state government for its efforts to address the union’s demands.

n

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Bebeteidoh said the three ASUU chapter chairpersons had agreed to immediately convene congresses in their respective universities to brief members on the government’s latest offer, which she described as impressive.

n

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, said the union remained committed to following due process in deciding whether to call off the ongoing industrial action.

n n