By Ebi Perekeme
The registrar of the Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko – Dr. Alfred Mulade, has denied that a protest by workers looms in the university.
In a press release to newsmen on 4th November, 2021, he said: “The attention of Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko, Delta State has been drawn to a news item circulating in the social media platforms, particularly the Liberator canvassing spurious allegations of imminent showdown by workers of the institution, alleging neglect and non-payment of staff allowances by the university, and went on to canvas out of the way assertions.
“To put the record straight: the Nigeria Maritime University, Okerenkoko, is a Federal Government Parastatal, guided by public service rules and extant regulations, being managed by responsibly knowledgeable personalities, and could not have deprived any staff of his legitimate earnings.
“Every discerning mind is aware that salaries of Federal Ministries, Departments, Agencies and Parastatals are paid centrally through the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS). Individual entities have no power to arbitrarily determine own staff salaries and allowances, without recourse to National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission and other extant regulations.
“It is appalling that, The Liberator, could throw caution to the winds and went to town, on hearsays, without, verifying with authorities of the university, on such matters certainly beyond its comprehension.
“In as much as the university is not desirous of joining issues with this reporter, it must be noted that this report is inconsistent with reality, both in content and in context, and should be disregarded,” he stated.
Adding that, “The university operates very robust grievance procedures in all our dealings with staff, students and stakeholders, and not in a position to remit content of such conversation to this arena.
“The Liberator, as a budding media outfit should be wary of mischief makers who cry wolf where none exists, and stick to the tenets and hallmarks of responsible journalism,” he concluded.
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