Academic activities at the University of Calabar, Cross Rivers State, were on Friday brought to a standstill following the locking of all entrances leading in and out of the institution.
Students and lecturers were stranded as no vehicle could gain access in and out of the university’s three major entrances.
The action was carried out by the local branch of the Joint Action Committee comprising Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, National Association of Academic Technologists and Non-Academic Staff Union.
Angry lecturers and students said the union members had by their action, behaved like illiterates.
The institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. James Epoke, complained that his chief security officer was in the early hours of the day, flogged by members of JAC.
When confronted, the local chairman of JAC, Mr. David Egerton, declined comments.
However, one of the members of JAC who spoke in the condition of anonymity, said the workers were protesting the non-payment of earned allowances, off duty allowances for security staff and overtime for a period of over 10 months.
A lecturer, who was stranded for hours outside the university gate, Dr.Deji Owolabi, said he was surprised to have been locked out, adding that there was no indication that the gate would be locked when he left the campus at the early hours of the day.
He said, “I have been out here since morning and just came back at about 11am to see that the gate was locked. I am disappointed that I have had to stay out here without knowing what was wrong. I do not know what is happening.
“Why should they lock us out when most of us live on campus? They mean I cannot have access to my family? This is not the best way to pursue their grievances,” he said.
Another lecturer, whose identity could not be ascertained, in annoyance openly referred to the JAC members as illiterates.
“They are illiterates and that is why they locked the gates. If not, they should have known how to channel their grievances,” he shouted.
His outburst, however, attracted instant criticisms as it did not go down well with JAC members who heard the comment.
The unidentified lecturers took his leave before the JAC members could mobilise others.
When contacted, the Vice Chancellor of UNICAL, Prof. James Epoke, said it was wrong for the workers to take the laws into their hands by locking all entrances to the school.
Speaking on the grievances of the workers, Epoke said the institution released N15m on Monday to cater for some of the complaints of the workers.
For the earned allowances, Epoke said no Nigerian university worker had been paid, adding that the Federal Government was still collating the process of settling it.
He said, “The workers did not tell you that the school management paid N15m to them just on Monday here. Most of them that were qualified to receive it have got theirs. The process is gradual.
“For the earned allowances, no Nigerian university has paid it as the Federal Government is still collating the matter.
“It is mischievous for them to lock the gate. What has the gate got to do with their grievances? They even flogged my chief security officer this morning. I am calling on the police to intervene,” Epoke said.
Source: PunchNg