Rep. Fulata canvases mass recruitment of varsity lectures, other staff members
By NAN
The House of Representatives Committee on University Education has called for increase in the workforce of universities across the country to reduce the pressure on existing staff.
The Chairman of the committee, Rep. Abubakar Fulata (APC-Jigawa) who made the call in a statement in Abuja, blamed the mass exodus of lecturers on poor remuneration and work pressure.
The lawmaker urged the Federal Government to expedite actions and increase the salary and allowances of university staff members as well as embark on massive employment of lecturers and other workers in the university system.
“I call on Mr President to allow universities embark on massive recruitment of workers to save our university system. Many have departed and the few available are over stretched.
“I also called on the government to increase the salary and allowances of the staff of universities because poor remuneration is one of the reasons for exodus of academics from the institutions,” he said.
He emphasised the need to halt undue interference of various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the powers and affairs of the Governing Councils of Universities.
According to the lawmaker, such undue interferences affect the smooth running of the universities.
He noted that the council has power to engage and disengage any member of academic and non- academic staff, but the MDAs are frequently interfering with the council’s power.
The chairman also urged the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to shelve the planned strike to avoid disruption of academic calendar which will undermine efforts towards improving the standard of education.
“I appeal to ASUU to give enough time to address these issues instead of frequent threats of strike action. This strike action will complicate the problems rather than solving them
“We have begun on spot assessment of universities and recently, we visited universities in the South-East, South-South and other parts of the country.
“These institutions are located in different parts of the country, but with similar challenges.
“The committee on University Education and 10th House of Representatives are determined to ensure improvement in the standard of education and stability of academic calendar.
“We are not leaving any stone unturned to achieve this through collaboration with the Executive Arm and relevant stakeholders,” Fulata said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)