THE Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) has requested the Congress of University Academics (CONUA) to forward the union’s evidence of registration; official account details; membership list; percentage of deduction of check-off dues) and amount to be deducted from each member as well as mode of remittance between the headquarters and local chapters.
In a letter with reference number OAGF/IPPOS/1045/67, dated Friday, January 13, 2023 and signed by Mr Charles Wali, Director of IPPIS on behalf of the Accountant General of the Federation to the president of CONUA, the OAGF asked the union “to provide soft copy of membership of CONUA across universities to enable payment” of withheld salaries and check-off as had been requested.
A copy of the letter, obtained by National Record, entitled: “RE-SUBMISSION OF UNIVERSITY ACADEMICS (CONUA) MEMBERSHIP LIST FOR THE PAYMENT OF WITHHELD SALARIES AND CHECK-OFF DUES,” reads in full:
“I am directed to acknowledge receipt of your letter on the above subject matter dated 2nd November 2022 in respect of payment of your withheld backlog of salaries and to request you to provide soft copy of membership of CONUA across universities to enable payment as requested.
“2. Meanwhile, you may wish to forward the following details to facilitate seamless deduction and remittance of check-off dues.
“i. evidence of registration;
“ii. official account details of the union;
“iii. membership list of union, signed by each member;
“iv. percentage of deduction (check-off dues)/amount to be deducted from each member
“v. mode of remittance between the headquarters and local chapters
“Please note that details of members which must always be hard and soft copies, should also include individual IPPIS numbers for ease of identification.
“3. While we appreciate your understanding, kindly accept the assurances of the warm regard of the Accountant General of the Federation.”
It will be recalled that CONUA was single-handedly registered by Dr Chris Ngige, the Minister of Labour and Employment, in an effort to break the strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) during its 8-month-long strike over issues bordering on university autonomy, lack of funding and other matters as contained in signed agreements between the federal government and the union.
