By Anayo Okoli

UMUAHIA—ACADEMIC Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, in Abia State University, ABSU, Uturu, yesterday, began an indefinite work-to-rule to protest non-remittance of their nine months check off dues by the university authorities.

The lectures also complained of non-payment of January salary, saying they would continue with the work-to-rule until their January salary was paid by the university management.

The action of the lecturers has grounded academic activities in the university as none of the lecturers took classes, even though they were around.

Dr. David Chikezie, ABSU-ASUU chairman, explained that the strike was in protest against the insensitive attitude of university authorities over their plight.

Chikezie vowed that the work-to-rule would continue until their January and February salaries were paid and nine months check-off deduction remitted to the union’s purse.

He said the lecturers would be reporting to duty but would not teach until their demands were fully met.

According to Chikezie, “we are asking the authority to remit all check-off deductions amounting to nine months, to the union. We will be coming to work, but will not engage in any academic activity.”

The state Commissioner for Education, Dr. Monica Philips, said she was not aware of the work-to-rule by the lecturers.

She said if there was any such action, she would have been informed by the Registrar.

Efforts to confirm the lecturers’ action through the university’s Public Relations Officer, Deacon Acho Elendu, were futile as calls to his mobile phone were not going through.

The state had increased the subvention of the university to augment its internally generated revenue to enable it meet its financial obligations. It also reduced students’ fees by 20 percent.