The Ondo State Government has paid the outstanding August arrears balance of the new subventions to the four state-owned tertiary institutions, urging striking workers to return to work.
The payment, made on Thursday, marks the commencement of the implementation of the 60 per cent increase in subventions approved for the institutions.
The move is aimed at resolving the dispute over salary payments and ending the ongoing suspension of lectures across the state-owned tertiary institutions.
Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa had explained that the 60 per cent increase was approved to enable the institutions meet their salary obligations and improve the welfare of staff and the universities.
With the outstanding arrears now settled, the governor appealed to academic and non-academic staff to call off the industrial action and resume duties in the interest of students and the development of the state.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Prince Ebenezer Adeniyan, the governor appealed to the striking unions to act in good faith and return to work.
The statement said, “Governor appeals to the striking unions of the institutions to, in good faith, call off the strike and return to work in the interest of our students and the overall development of the state.”
The industrial crisis began at Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), where academic and non-academic staff embarked on strike over alleged non-payment of their full salaries.
The strike commenced on the same day the newly appointed Vice Chancellor of the university assumed office.
Following the development, workers in other higher institutions across the state also joined the industrial action, leading to the suspension of academic activities.
The state government’s latest payment is expected to pave the way for the resolution of the dispute and the resumption of lectures in the affected institutions.
