FUPRE cannot be unionized under NUPENG/PENGASSAN – Prof. Agbalagba
Post created on 12:05 pm
The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurun, Professor Ezekiel Agbalagba, has responded to the ongoing protest by members of NUPENG and PENGASSAN.
The Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), had on Wednesday staged a peaceful protest blocking the school entrance.
Speaking with Crown FM in Effurun, Professor Agbalagba stated that the university operates under the Federal Ministry of Education and is not an industrial institution, and therefore cannot be unionized under NUPENG or PENGASSAN.
He explained that a court ruling, backed by the Ministry of Labour and Productivity, clearly states that the university should not recognize the unions, and the university council is bound by that judgement.
On the issue of earned allowances, the Vice Chancellor noted that the funds are available but must be disbursed through the appropriate academic unions approved by the Ministry of Education.
He also alleged that some of those protesting are doing so out of dissatisfaction with the outcome of recent staff elections, describing their claims as baseless.
Crown FM Onitsha