From Adanna Nnamani, Abuja
The National Association Academic Technologists (NAAT) has appealed to the Federal Government to ensure prompt release of adequate funds for payment of salaries and allowances of Staff of Tertiary Institutions to avoid shortfalls and delays.
This follows the approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to exempt Federal Tertiary Institutions from Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) as announced by the Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman.
Ibeji Nwokoma, President of NAAT in a statement over the weekend, expressed hope that the Government would not use this exit to shy away from its responsibility of proper funding of Education at all levels as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution as amended.
He said: “NAAT appreciates the fact that by this action, University autonomy will be restored, but has its reservations on payment uniformity of salaries and allowances across Federal Tertiary Institutions as it was achieved under IPPIS despite its shortcomings.
“NAAT therefore appeals to the Federal Government to ensure prompt release of adequate funds for payment of salaries and allowances of Staff of Tertiary Institutions to avoid shortfalls and delays.
With the exit of Federal Tertiary Institutions from IPPIS, NAAT is curious to seek for clarification from the Government on the way forward as nothing can exist out of nothing.
“Our Union advocates for the continuous use of a centralized payment platform to sustain the gains already achieved through IPPIS and reduce the incidence of over-bloated personnel cost and ghost workers being major reasons for creation of IPPIS. We urge the Government to prioritize all aspects of funding of Tertiary Education for a sustainable and overall National growth and Development.
“We also urge the Management of Tertiary Institutions to seize this opportunity to restore public confidence in their ability to manage resources prudently for efficient service delivery.
“We hope the Government will not use this exit to shy away from its responsibility of proper funding of Education at all levels as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution as amended.”