SSANU Decries Non-payment Of Minimum Wage: We Were Quoted Out Of Context, Says Chairman

By Daniel Dafe
The Chairman of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka Branch, Comrade Monday Izu, has said that a statement credited to the association that said members of the union decried the delay in the payment of the minimum wage by the Delta State Government was false.
You will recall that an earlier publication by this medium said that members of the association expressed their grievances on the said delay during an emergency congress that held at the Science Auditorium in Site II of the institution yesterday.
According to the Chairman, Comrade Monday Izu, who spoke to Oasis Magazine (OM) during an exclusive chat, SSANU was quoted out of context.
He said: “Those that know me are aware that I speak boldly on matters bordering on unionism, but I am not happy with the report in your medium. The facts were distorted.”
He continued: “What happened was that we observed and noted the delay in payment of the minimum wage to DELSU staff unlike others in the state. But, we were quick to say that we believe in the Governor’s willingness to pay it and the delay was quite understandable since DELSU staff do not usually receive their salaries at the same time with other workers in the state.
“We left Congress with the hope that shortly we also will be paid. We did not decry the delay in payment nor are we bitter about anything, knowing full well that we will also be paid like others that have received theirs too.
“What was even the main agenda for the said congress was to praise the new Vice Chancellor, Professor Andy Egwunyenga, who within the short space of time he came on board has restored peace to the university community and we therefore gathered to inform members of his thanksgiving on Sunday and the need to turn out en masse to celebrate with him and identify with him based on what he has done for workers in less than three months when he assumed office.”