Finally, there seem to be light at the end of the tunnel,as the two owner States of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Osun and Oyo States begins to contribute the agreed take off grant of N1bn each, for the payment of salaries owed among others.
Deputy Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Abdulwasi Musah, has urged LAUTECH students to be optimistic of resumption of academic activities this week, owning to the fact that both owner State Governments have taken responsibility of providing funding for the institution.
The Governing Council and Management of the institution, on Thursday, met with the Joint Action Committee and the Academic Staff Union of Universities, where it was disclosed that both States had paid over N994m.
The said amount is made up of a contribution of N937, 908,850 from the Osun State Government and N56m from the Oyo State Government, with both State Governments promising to complete the agreed take off grant in their next installments.
In addition, Osun State paid in over N62m into the University’s account, while Oyo State Government plans to pay its own share in two installments.
The Chairman, Joint Action Committee, Mr Alesinloye M. Abimbola and Chairman ASUU, Dr Biodun Olaniran, maintained that a congress to consider the resumption of activities, immediately three months of their outstanding salary arrears were paid will be constituted.
Recall that September 15 was declared the new resumption date for academic activities for the students by the Governing Council of the school, but ASUU and the JAC denied knowing about the resumption date, adding that there would be no resumption until the Union Members were paid.
However, the Governing Council maintained that full academic activities will commence after the independence anniversary holiday.
LAUTECH have gone on strike twice this year, demanding the payment of salary arrears of its Union Members.
