BY MAYOWA SAMUEL
Staff members of Paul University, Awka, Anambra State have staged a protest in the campus premises over the non-payment of their salaries spanning about 28 months.
Primate, Church of Nigeria, Anglican Communion, His Grace, Most Rev Henry Ndukuba, was commissioning the Law faculty building of the university at the weekend when the aggrieved workers seized the opportunity to storm the event to express their displeasure.
The law building which was reportedly named after Archbishop of Niger Province, His Grace Rt Rev. Alexander Ibezim, was inaugurated by the Primate and Archbishop of Enugu Diocese, Rt. Rev Emmanuel Chukwuma, and other bishops from various dioceses across the country.
The Primate had also dedicated Renaissance Modern Polytechnic Mbaukwu and Millennium College of Nursing Sciences, Awka.
The protesters who carried placards with various inscriptions including, “Working without payment is unscriptural”, “starvation is the worst form of attack, pay your staff or shutdown”, “Primate have mercy on us”, said the debts ranged between 14 and 28 months.
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, acting ICT Head, Chidi Gabriel, said while the Adjunct staff were being owed 28 months, those on contracts and regular engagements were owed 24 and 14 months respectively, adding that it was unfortunate that an institution jointly owned by 55 dioceses found it difficult to pay its staff.
He said: “We have been working these months without salary and they have been making promises without any fulfillment. Imagine what our families are passing through without salary?
“There’s a saying that a goat owned by the public dies faster. That’s our experience in this school. Why not shut down the school if they can’t afford to pay?”
Reacting, the Primate assured them he had waded into the matter, adding that their grievances were receiving attention.
He said: “Your issues are receiving attention. I’ve stepped into the matter.
“The labourer deserves his wages. I stand with you and feel your pains. I and other Bishops, Senate and management will put heads together to ensure your matter receives attention.
“I’ve directed that some money be released to attend to the issue. In due time you’ll hear from us,” he assured.
