Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has assured the management of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, of his administration’s commitment to addressing accumulated unpaid salaries, gratuities, and other critical challenges inherited from past administrations.
The governor gave the assurance when he received the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Eunice Eboserehimen Omonzejie, and members of her management team on a courtesy visit at the Government House, Benin City.
Gov. Okpebholo congratulated the vice-chancellor and her team on their appointments, noting that their presentation clearly revealed the depth of challenges confronting the institution.
The governor said, “from what you have outlined today, it is clear that Ambrose Alli University was on life support. I must commend the progress you have made so far since assuming the office.
“I am impressed by your efforts, and I want to assure you that in any way possible, this administration will support the university to reposition it and restore its lost glory.”
Addressing the issue of accumulated salary arrears, the governor described the non-payment of staff salaries for several years as unfair and unacceptable.
“It is not right for people to work and not be paid. The issue of unpaid salaries, pensions, and gratuities running into billions of naira is something I will take as a project. These are issues inherited from the past government, and we will address them,” he assured.
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Gov. Okpebholo also acknowledged other concerns raised by the management, including hostel infrastructure, accreditation-related challenges, and facilities needed for programmes such as medical laboratory science.
“This year’s budget is already at an advanced stage, but I expect that these critical needs will be properly captured in your budget proposals. Once that is done, we will see how best to move the institutions forward,” he added.
Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Omonzejie, explained that the delay in visiting the governor was due to a recently concluded accreditation exercise and the need to carry out a thorough assessment of the state of the university.
She added that the university was in a moribund state, and facing a series of infrastructural problems, unpaid salaries, and accreditation, amongst others.
Prof. Omonzejie expressed appreciation to Gov. Okpebholo for what she described as “life-saving interventions” since his assumption of office.
According to her, the governor’s approval of increased monthly subvention, restoration of affected staff to the payroll, support for graduating backlog medical students, improved security logistics, and facilitation of road construction through the NDDC have significantly revived the university.
She also formally presented pressing needs requiring urgent attention, including accumulated unpaid salaries, pensions, gratuities, and union deductions, as well as the construction of lecture theatres and hostels to enhance accreditation and expand student intake, particularly in the college of medicine.
