UNIZIK staff protest over 4yrs unpaid salaries

On Thursday, some Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU) employees in Awka, Anambra, demonstrated peacefully against the non-payment of their four years’ worth of salaries.

The demonstrators bemoaned the fact that the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) had not yet recorded their employment letters, despite receiving them in 2019.

Members of the group reportedly carried placards with various messages, according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

Come to our aid, Federal Government, A handful of the inscriptions read, “It’s been 4 years of employment with NAU without pay, Senate and House of Reps, and our situation demands immediate response.”

Others said, among other things, “Presidency and Director of Service, rescue our souls,” “We are now Debtors,” and “We are dying of hunger and depression.“

Speaking to reporters, the group’s spokesperson, Mr. Echezonam Ibezi, expressed his confusion over why they hadn’t received their pay despite going through recruitment processes.

“We haven’t received any payment since Jan. 1, 2019, when we received our job letters and resumed work. We must be recorded in IPPIS, according to the school administration.

“The remaining 1,311 people had not yet been captured when 120 people received text messages instructing them to travel to Enugu for IPPIS capture.

They continue to claim that they are working on it, but after four years, neither salaries nor progress have been made.

“The students I taught from the first year have all completed their degree, and we frequently attend work. What do we do wrong? We are struggling; many of us are unable to cover our rent and other expenses.

Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu, DVC for Administration at NAU, responded and commended the staff members who were demonstrating for their politeness.

He promised them that their concerns would be taken into account and stated that the management was striving to find a solution.