In what can be called a new twist to the troubles of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomosho, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), has expressed their disappointment in the Chairman of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) Governing Council, Professor Dapo Afolabi, over his recent claim that LAUTECH workers have received have their salaries.

In a statement published by ASUU which was signed by the Ibadan Zonal Coordinator, Dr Ade Adejumo disclosed that it was painful and disappointing that Afolabi was allowing himself to be used as a means of misinforming the public.

The union disclosed that contrary to Afolabi’s claim, workers of LAUTECH are still being owed 10 months salary arrears and also that the members of the public should disregard the misinformation by the Chairman of LAUTECH Governing Council as it is a means to shift blame from the government who are neglecting their responsibilities to workers who are being owed.

Though either of the two State Governments managing the institution is yet to comment on the situation, it is safe to say things are not yet going right in LAUTECH like the Governing Council claimed.

Below is an extract of the statement released by ASUU.

The union is in receipt of a shocking statement credited to the Chairman, LAUTECH Governing Council as a fall out of the last warning strike and public protest staged by our colleagues in that university.

“The statement is to the effect that the workers are not being owed any money and that the government has been fulfilling their obligation to LAUTECH.

“The Ibadan Zone of ASUU is compelled to respond to this statement to put the record straight. We call on the public to disregard this lie as the facts are there that LAUTECH staff are being owed 10 months’ salary arrears, promotion arrears, EAA etc.

“This fact has been severally acknowledged by the Council Chairman himself.

“We want to make it clear that we are academics and not politicians; therefore, the insinuation that ASUU is being used by politicians is a futile attempt to cast us in bad light. If the stock in trade of politicians is lying to the public, ASUU begs not to be drawn into the murky waters of their dirty politics.

“It is very painful that Prof Dapo Afolabi, a seasoned academic, is allowing himself to be used as a conduit of public disinformation to shore-up the image of government that have proved irresponsible in the discharge of their statutory responsibilities to a public University like LAUTECH.

“The branch will be issuing a comprehensive report on this latest assault on LAUTECH.