Staff at the Abia State College of Education, both academic and non-academic, recently staged a protest over what they perceive as unfair treatment regarding their salary structure. The protesters, including workers from various department of Abia State College of Education (Technical) in Arochukwu, voiced their grievances over the disparity in salary payments compared to other higher institutions in Nigeria. They highlighted the non-implementation of CONPCASS/CONTEDISS since 2011, leading to 26 months of salary arrears.
The protesters expressed their frustration, stating that the situation has left them hungry and struggling to make ends meet. They called on Governor Alex Chioma Otti, whom they described as the “best Governor in Nigeria,” to intervene and address their plight. The staff members recounted how, during the 2015 regime when Governor Okezie Ikpeazu won the election, they were urged to go meet Dr. Alex Otti, whom they voted for instead of the PDP. However, their pleas and protests were allegedly ignored throughout Ikpeazu’s tenure.
Now that Governor Alex Otti has assumed office, the protesting staff believe it is the right time for him to fulfill his promises and implement their full salary structure. Dr. Kingsley Igboko, a senior lecturer at the college, lamented that despite their qualifications and dedication, their salaries are insufficient to meet their basic needs. He cited an example of senior lecturers taking home no more than #95,000, which is not enough to buy a full bag of rice, let alone afford other essentials like medical care or housing.
Mr. Nwokoro Enyinnaya Samuel also criticized the Abia State Government, accusing it of being deceptive in salary payment. He urged Governor Alex Otti to take urgent action to rectify the situation and ensure that staff are paid according to their employment letters.
The protesting staff emphasized that they voted for Governor Alex Otti in the 2023 Governorship election with the expectation that he would address their grievances and improve their welfare. They called on him to come to their rescue and bring about the change they desperately need.
The staff’s demonstration highlights the challenges faced by workers in the education sector in Nigeria and underscores the importance of fair and timely payment of salaries to ensure the well-being of workers and their families.
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