PRESS RELEASE

UNIVERSITY OF UYO

 

PRESS RELEASE

UNIUYO SSANU AND THE PROMOTION SCREENING DEBACLE

The attention of the Management of the University of Uyo has been drawn to the recent protest initiated by the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), University of Uyo Chapter; which led to the disruption of work in the University, especially the Directorate of the Personnel Affairs, where documents related to Staff Training and Promotion were confiscated and set ablaze on Wednesday, may 6, 2015.

Management wishes to inform the University of Uyo Community and the general public that SSANU has on several occasions disrupted the exercise towards promotion of deserving staff to the ranks of Principal Assistant Registrar and Deputy Registrar by protesting against the known and generally acceptable practice in the public service-promotion procedure. This is an objective procedure for promotion in view of limited vacancies, capacity development and competitive processes to ensure merit and fairness.

The University of Uyo Management has ensured a robust Staff- Management relationship as evidenced in the inauguration of the Committee on Labour Relations. The Committee is headed by the Deputy Vice- Chancellor Administration and members drawn from all strata of the community; including the Unions of the University to dialogue and arrive at amicable alternatives and solutions to staff complaints and other welfare issues in the University. So far; Management has implemented the following arising from the complaints of SSANU and other Unions of the University:

-         Payment of Responsibility Allowance to Secretaries/Chief Secretarial Assistants beginning with initial payments in the November 2014 salaries.

-         Payment of Special Allowances to Science Teachers in the University Staff School has commenced.

-         Initiation of the process for the conversion of Typists to Data Processors.

-          Staff promotion from CONTISS 06-12 effected for SSANU members during the last Appointment and Promotion Committee meeting with monetary arrears paid in December 2014.

-         Recall of a security personnel on suspension for several years.

-         And many others.

THE ISSUES OF PROMOTION SCREENING TEST

In a special meeting with the Vice-Chancellor’s representative in the Committee on Labour Relations, the SSANU Executive suggested and strongly recommended a Refresher Training programme for SSANU members so as to acquire the requisite knowledge and build their capacity to write any promotion screening test. This, Management obliged by engaging a recognized training outfit, the Centre for Management Development (CMD) to mount a training programme for the affected staff to ensure strict adherence to standards and neutrality of the exercise. This was participated by all the staff concerned including the SSANU Chairman, Mr. Idongesit Nsubong. This promotion procedure is implemented in several Federal Universities in the country and has the blessing of the Association of Registrars of Nigerian Universities (ARNU).

It was a great shock and utter disappointment that the Screening Test which was a part of the training and was to be used for the promotion of deserving staff to the ranks of Principal Assistant Registrar and Deputy Registrar, was disrupted by the leadership of SSANU on frivolous and unsubstantiated reasons. After all, there were many staff members who were ready and willing to take the screening test, some who are not members of the union.

Management therefore wonders at the sudden adverse reaction of SSANU to the training programme suggested by them. They rather chose to disrupt the peace and tranquility of the University; inspite of the efforts of the current University Administration which always opts for dialogue notwithstanding its powers and discretion to choose the mode of staff promotion for a University with a staff population of over four thousand.

CONCLUSION

The UNIUYO SSANU crisis is a clear handwork of a few who are afraid of legitimate competition in career progression, which is a norm in the public service. SSANU’s action is capable of destroying the system by trying to preserve and promote mediocrity. Management hereby advises the hierarchy of SSANU to retrace their steps from the ignoble path of self or career retardation and join hands in building a great University.

Signed

Mrs. Edak U. Umondak

Registrar & Secretary to Council