The Bayelsa State Government has indicated its readiness to negotiate with members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in its employ over the issue of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA), recently approved by the Federal Government.
The State Deputy Governor, Dr. Peter Akpe, gave the indication during a meeting with the leadership of the Niger Delta University (NDU) and Bayelsa Medical University chapters of ASUU at Government House, Yenagoa, on Thursday.
In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Doubara Atasi, the Deputy Governor assured the lecturers that the administration of Governor Douye Diri remains irrevocably committed to improving their welfare and advancing educational development in the state.
Dr. Akpe, however, clarified that it is not compulsory for the state government to implement every agreement reached between the Federal Government and ASUU at the national level. He added that the state would continue to collaborate with the union’s local chapters to ensure an uninterrupted academic calendar in its universities.
He also emphasised the importance of dialogue in resolving industrial disputes and urged the ASUU NDU chapter to halt the process it has initiated towards a strike action.
According to him, previous engagements between the government and ASUU on issues contained in their Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) did not justify industrial action, noting that the doors of the Douye Diri administration remain open for dialogue.
Addressing concerns raised by the ASUU delegation including employment of academic staff, accommodation, infrastructure, and promotion arrears Dr. Akpe directed the Commissioner for Education, Dr. Gentle Emelah, and his team to carry out an on-the-spot assessment of the abandoned 48-unit housing project at the NDU campus and report back to the government.
He further urged the union to provide detailed information on the new allowance, including its financial implications, stressing that the government would not commit to obligations it cannot sustain.
“As a government, we do not joke with the welfare of workers. If you compare our universities with other state-owned institutions, you will see that we are performing reasonably well.
“On the issue of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance, work out the details and let us understand the financial implications. The fact that the Federal Government has implemented it does not automatically mean the state must do the same. Our financial capacity will determine our decision,” he said.
Earlier, Chairman of the ASUU NDU Chapter, Comrade Oyinkepreye Bebeteidor, said the notice of strike action was due to the non-implementation of key aspects of the MoU with the state government.
While commending the government for implementing parts of the agreement in 2025, he noted that issues such as promotion arrears, staff accommodation, employment of academic staff, and the backlog of 19 months’ 25 and 35 percent wage arrears remain unresolved.
The union also called for the immediate implementation of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA), as agreed between ASUU and the Federal Government.
Other ASUU representatives at the meeting included the Chairperson of ASUU, Bayelsa Medical University, Dr. Sylva Ligeinaziba, Prof. Stanley Ogoun, Prof. Gift Eke, Dr. Tammy Johnbull, and Dr. Emmanuel Atagboro.
