The management of Abia state University, ABSU has accused the government of Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu of Abia State of being responsible for the disheartening hike in school fees and other levies.
A close source who spoke in anonymity to Hon. Maduka Okoro, the Media Aide to former Governor, Sen. (Dr.) Orji Uzor Kalu, Sen. representing Abia North Federal Constituency, explained amidst bitterness that the state institution had over the years been under self-management, hence the hike in fees and other levies.
Hear him: “We receive several messages and calls from Abia State University students and their lecturers.
Some of the lecturers that spoke and messaged us said that the state Government stopped paying them subvention since 2011.
The source regretted that the State University lecturers have been suffering from series of incapacitation since Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu handed over mantle of leadership to his successors, as it were.
“Currently, ABSU is under self Management that is why all the fees and levies are all hiked. Is the reason why we are the most expensive state University in Nigeria and definitely that is why our population is decreasing day by day”, he said.
*Our Conditions Have Changed Since 2007 Till Date… Secondary school teachers
Similarly, Secondary school teachers inAbia State have bemoaned their penurious state since the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) government took over the Government House in the year 2007.
In his article titled: ‘Why Ndi Aba Must Reject PDP, Hon. Maduka hinted that not only secondary teachers but also Abia State University, (ABSU) lectures and other government agencies are victims of the disablement.
According to Hon. Okoro, “many Secondary School teachers have secretly discussed with me and pleaded that I should not reveal their identity, smply because we are aware of what might happen to them.”
The teachers, he disclosed, lamented that their situation was pleasant as at 1999 during Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu’s (OUK) administration, but regretted that they had become a sorry sight to behold following the various successive governments in the state.
Hear them: “During 1999 to 2007, we can boast of using our salaries for something meaningful.
Whenever we planned for something, we are sure of Achieving them.
But, now, we are not able to eat, drink and train our children in school. This is simply because we are not being paid our Salaries. From 2007 till date all our conditions changed”, they wailed.
*HMB, ABSUTH dead over non-payment
Furthermore, the health sector in the state is not left out in the piteous condition, as staff of Hospital Management Board, (HMB) and Abia State University Teaching Hospital, (ABSUTH) have informed that the the hospital had virtually gone moribund consequent upon the negligent attitude of the present administration towards the staff.
According to Hon. Okoro, the close sources in their jittering state pleaded that their impoverished immediate intervention.
He said: “We move to the Health Sector, the story is a very appalling one and sympathetic. Hospital Management Board and Abia State University Teaching Hospital is dead because of lack of payment of Salaries.
The article read in part:
“Enyimba football Club during 1999 to 2007 won laurels for the country but now they have refused to come back to the country because of lack of payment of Salaries.
“The condition of Ariaria and New market after the last week’s rainfall will make one to wonder if any right thinking man will vote PDP again in the state.
Continuing, he wrote: then back to the candidate they foisting on ndi Aba.
This is a man that failed as Covid 19 task force committee, he was Sacked.
This is a man that failed as Commissioner,.not a single day he was active.
“This is a man that failed to tender his certificate. This is a man that have already signed an agreement to hand over power to Alex Ikwegwechi after 2023 because of over desperation for power. This is a man that was found incapable of securing public funds . He is not a fiduciary.
“This is a man that have not defended the Aba people before.
Even in Ngwa land, this is a man that have not stand up for the Emancipation of the Ngwa man.
This is a Man that Ikpeazu is foisting on ndi Aba”, Maduka lamented.
