Authorities at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) have urged trade unions and other stakeholders to seek official clarification on staff emoluments to avoid what they described as “needless industrial disputes” on campus.
The university also insisted that it paid full August salaries to all categories of staff, including academic staff.
In a statement, the university spokesperson, Dr Beneditta Ehanire, said the Federal Government’s portion of academic staff allowances, delayed by the non-release of the warrant, was fully paid in line with the payment warrant issued by the government to tertiary institutions across the country.
She added that the University Governing Council paid the portion of allowances payable to certain categories of academic staff after verifying eligible beneficiaries. eligible beneficiaries.
According to the statement, the clarification followed a meeting between the university management and the local branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
“At a meeting between Management and the local branch of ASUU, the distinction between salary and allowances payable to different categories of staff was affirmed, with the union leadership made to appreciate the tax implications of lumping these two different emoluments,” the statement said.
The university said the union was also reminded of the potential consequences for staff members of failing to understand the statutory distinction between the two forms of payment as provided under the new Nigeria Tax Reform Act (NTRA).
“University Management believes that these clarifications should put to rest the avoidable controversies surrounding payment of emoluments, and assures all stakeholders that staff and students will continue to enjoy the prevailing peace and harmony in the University,” it added.
