Bayelsa approves CATA, CONTTA for state-owned universities

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The Bayelsa State Government has approved the implementation of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance and the Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance for academic and non-academic staff of its three universities.

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The Deputy Governor, Dr Peter Akpe, announced the approval on Friday during a resumed meeting with the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, representing the Niger Delta University, NDU, Bayelsa Medical University, BMU, and the University of Africa, Toru-Orua, UAT, at his office in Government House, Yenagoa.

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Akpe said the approval followed a resolution recently passed by the state House of Assembly and communicated to Governor Douye Diri for consideration and approval.

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He explained that the financial implication of implementing the allowances would cost the government an additional N500m monthly across the three universities.

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According to him, the state government would commence payment of the wage increase, totalling about N2.25bn, by October 2026, while the 25 to 35 per cent wage award arrears would be paid next year.

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The deputy governor said the Diri-led Prosperity administration remained committed to maintaining cordial relations with organised labour, adding that the executive and legislative arms of government had worked together to address ASUU’s demands and prevent frequent disruption of academic activities in the state-owned universities.

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Akpe urged ASUU to call off its ongoing indefinite strike in the interest of students and to strengthen the existing relationship between the government and labour.

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He assured the union that the government had captured the payment of the outstanding arrears in its 2027 budget.

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His words: “His Excellency, the Governor does not want any kind of fracas or friction with labour. So, he has graciously approved, even though we saw some strong elements of intimidation from the ASUU end.”

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He added, “We decided not to tow that path in the interest of our children and the good relationship we have maintained with labour over the years as a government.”

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Akpe further said, “We wrote to the Assembly because of the huge amount involved in the implementation. They (the Assembly) approved the payment on the proposed dates, and also added the arrears in the 2027 budget.”

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The deputy governor said the government had addressed most of the union’s demands, urging ASUU to allow academic activities to resume.

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“This is the position of government, and I believe that with the short discussion we have had here today, we have met most of, if not all of your demands. And so, let’s now allow normalcy to return to our universities,” he said.

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In their separate responses, the immediate past Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, Port Harcourt Zone, Prof. Stanley Ogoun, and the Chairperson of ASUU, NDU Chapter, Dr Oyinkepreye Bebeteidoh, commended the state government for its efforts towards addressing the union’s demands.

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Addressing Government House correspondents after the meeting, Bebeteidoh said the three ASUU chairpersons had agreed to immediately convene congresses in their respective chapters to brief members on the government’s latest offer, which he described as impressive.

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Flanked by the Chairperson of BMU, Dr Sylva Ligeiaziba, and his University of Africa Toru-Orua counterpart, Dr Sunny Abeki, the NDU ASUU leader, however, said the union remained committed to following due process before calling off the ongoing industrial action.

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