From Agaju Madugba, Katsina
The Katsina State government and leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University (UMYU) on Monday traded words over monthly allocation to the school.
Addressing a press conference on Monday, the Commissioner of Higher, Technical and Vocational Education, Prof. Abdul Hamid Ahmed, dismissed as false a claim that the government reduced its monthly overhead allocation to UMYU from N16 million to N7 million.
The ASUU Chairman had earlier at a press briefing regretted that the government’s downward review of the allocation has engendered “severe financial challenges” for the school making it difficult to sustain itself with the “meagre funds.”
The union therefore urged the government to “review the university’s overhead to enable the institution to meet its ever-expanding obligations.”
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner explained that the current overhead of N7 million was inherited from the previous administration noting further that the government has not received any complaints from the UMYU management over any issues on overhead.
Ahmed said, “It is important to note that the government of Katsina State promptly pays the staff of Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University Earned Academic Allowance (EAA). As a result, it stands tall against all the public universities in the country in that respect.”
Moreover, according to him, the school has financial autonomy over its revenue, as it can generate and spend revenue without remitting any funds to the treasury of the Katsina State government.
“The university generates significant revenue from student registration, TETFUND interventions and consultancy services.
“Despite this, the current government has never denied the university’s requests for financial assistance. This support is unprecedented and includes the release of N85,992,000.00 for the accreditation of new courses and N40,000,000.00 for the conduct of the 9th-13th convocation ceremony.
“The Governor of Katsina State, Malam Dikko Umaru Radda, has demonstrated his administration’s commitment to education development by paying off the outstanding liabilities for the construction of the Faculty of Agriculture at Layin Minista. This has allowed the university to begin using the faculty.
“Additionally, the Governor has also cleared the outstanding contract liabilities for the ongoing construction of female and male hostels, classrooms and laboratories at the College of Health Sciences.
“The Governor has approved the contractors’ request to increase the contract amount due to the rising cost of building materials.
“This will help them to complete the project and the government has commissioned a consultant firm to provide designs and cost estimates for the other facilities required for the successful operation of the College of Health Sciences and the start of clinical training.
“These critical facilities include the clinical students’ library, Student Centre, staff offices, clinical students’ lecture auditorium and perimeter fencing, and are expected to cost over N5 billion.”