The Oyo State House of Assembly on Wednesday urged the two owner state governors of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Oyo’s Senator Abiola Ajimobi and his Osun state counterpart, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola to take proactive steps to ensure the payment of outstanding seven months arrears of salaries of the workers of the institution in order to forestall another strike action.
Consequently, the House has directed its Committee on Education to invite the Vice-Chancellor of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Ogbomoso Professor Sulaiman Adeniyi Gbadegesin, the state Commissioner for Education, Professor Adeniyi Olowofela and other persons concerned to appear before it over the lingering crisis and report back to the House next week Tuesday.
This directive was sequel to a motion moved under matter of urgent public importance titled “Urgent need to avert another indefinite industrial action at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso” by Honourable Olawumi Oladeji representing Ogbomoso North State constituency.
Hon. Oladeji while moving the motion, informed the House that LAUTECH staff are about to commence another strike action over their unpaid seven months’ salary.
While commenting on the motion, the Chairman House committee on Education, Hon. Afeez Adeleke informed the House that the report of the visitation panel to the university had just been submitted on Monday, stressing that the two owner States have also set up another technical committee to look into the report submitted by the visitation panel.
Other members who made extensive remarks on the issue urged the two owner states to as a matter of urgency ensure prompt payment of the staff of the institution so as to make life bearable for both students and staff.
The Speaker of the Assembly, Hon. Michael Adeyemo then ordered the invitation of the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology and LAUTECH VC to appear before the committee on Education, Science and Technology with a view to making clarifications on the actual indebtness of the two owner states and suggest possible means of getting out of the woods.
While ruling on the motion, the Speaker of the House, Hon. Michael Adesina Adeyemo hinted that the report of the committee would provide solution to the LAUTECH issue and suggest ways on how the outstanding salary would be paid.
The House also deliberated on two bills – the first, which was read for the second time is on Feedmill which is meant for the animals in Oyo State while the second bill is on forest Amendment Bill, 2017.
Similarly, Hon. Segun Ajanaku representing Ibadan South West Constituency II and the Chairman parliamentary council moved a motion on the school feeding meal programme by the federal government.
While addressing House correspondents shortly after the plenary, the Chairman House committee on Information, Hon. Oyebamiji Joshua explained that the essence of the two bills and motions moved was in the overall interest of the citizens of the State.
Packaged by Feyisayo Oladiipo
