From Maawuya Bala Idris, Katsina
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University chapter has warned that the University is on the verge of collapse due to inadequate funding from the state government.
Chairman of the ASUU branch of the University, Dr Muhtari Abdul Kwara disclosed this to newsmen at a press conference Is Katsina.
He added that currently, the University is battling with a financial crisis to provide services to both staff and students.
According to him, the administration of Governor Dikko Radda provides ₦7 million as monthly running cost as against ₦16millon it used to receive in previous years.
“The University takes off with three faculties with ₦16millon as monthly running cost but currently with nine faculties only ₦7milion is provided to take care of its financial needs,” he added.
Malam Abdul said the situation forced the management of the university to stop releasing overhead costs to Heads of Departments.
He lamented that: “Heads of departments are operating in tears because we are facing difficulties in working.”
He further chided the refusal of the Radda administration to implement a 25/35 per cent salary award, pointing out that staff of other state Universities have already started enjoying the percentage.
He called on the Government to review upward monthly subvention to the university to save it from collapse.
All efforts to reach the State Commissioner of Higher Education, Professor Abdul Hamid Ahmed to respond to the issues proved abortive.