Outrage as Maritime varsity staff threaten mass action over poor welfare in Delta

By Timi Black

Pandemonium as staff of the Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State have threatened mass action over what they described as poor welfare services rendered by the school management.

Staff who pleaded annomity told Congress newspaper that they would be embarking on peaceful protest to register their anger on the management authority.

It was gathered that over some some periods of time workers allowances in the institution have not been paid.

However, workers who spoke to our correspondent said their allowances have not been paid since May 2019 till date.

They reiterated:”From May 2019 till date, we have not been paid of our allowances. While those employed in April that started work in May 2019 had not received any allowance and other benefits that is due them.

According to the angry staff: “Beyond the allowances, we are also demanding from the management of the Institution under the watch of Prof. Emmanuel Munakurogha Adigio (MNSE, MNIM) Vice Chancellor of the Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko to also urgently adjust the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System ( IPPIS ) salary scale to reflect special status as a specialised institution like the Petroleum Training Institute (PTI), Efferun, Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron and others.

The aggrieved staff also called on the management of the institution and the Federal Government of Nigeria to build additional structures in the institution, noting that the lecture halls were getting congested, particularly the Okerenkoko campus of the institution.

The statement read partly:“We cannot continue to work under such poor welfare particularly the Okerenkoko campus where staff don’t even have office space and class rooms to lecture.

“They promised to pay as soon as money enters the school but when money finally come into the school they are not considering payment of the allowances and other benefits that we are entitled for. If this continues without any move to pay us, we will have no choice than to fight for our rights and privileges through peaceful protest and it is going to be massive “, the workers reiterated.