Financial scandal: We stay by our words - ASUU KUST tell Varsity Management

Academic Staff Union of Kano University of Science and Technology Chapter reiterated their measure of fighting corruption allegation from the University Management.

This was contained in a statement jointly signed by ASUU KUST Chapter Chairperson and Secretary, Muhammad Sani Gaya and  Murtala Muhammad on Monday, in reaction to a statement by the university management, and sent to 'The Historica Nigeria'.

The statement says the measure taken by the union to alert the people is necessary to sensitive the system from dilapidation.

"We stay by our earlier words, which we seek the management to provide reliable information on financial allegations by our great union, because this is the only way we can salvage the future generations and the system in general.

The Historica Nigeria reported similar incidence by the Academic Staff Union of Kano University of Science and Technology Wudil Chapter, which in return the University Management respondent to the Media.

For the avoidance of any doubts, ASUU-KUST Wudil stands for the truth, honesty, transparency and accountability in managing the resources of the University with a view to make it a true citadel of knowledge. It is with this intent and purpose; we wish to reiterate our position as posited in the earlier press release by the Union. However, for the purpose of clarity, it is necessary to respond to the purported rejoinder released by the Authorities of the University in order to set the records straight. In our earlier press release we stated that the University has been generating money from student registrations, which were mostly misappropriated as shown by the reports of the 7th and 8th Budget Monitoring and Implementation Committee (BMC) of the University.

This was simply dismissed by the authorities as false allegation; however, we challenge the authorities to make public, the audited accounts of the University in the last seven (7) years to support their position. Members of the Public need to know that by tradition and the provision of the Law establishing the University, its accounts must be subjected to external auditing and report of such exercise should be made in the public domain. On the issue of violation of Public Procurement Act 2007, we wish to observe that section 16 (b) stipulates that procurement shall be conducted based on budgetary appropriation and availability of funds. Other sections stated that the procurement shall be conducted by an open competitive bidding and be advertised (section 24 and 25 of the Public Procurement Act 2007) equally, section 42 specifically centered on direct procurement.

However, the Authorities of the University flagrantly disregarded the provisions of these sections in the purchase of the eight exotic vehicles for Principal Officers by direct procurement through a loan facility from a Bank to the tune of N200 Million with 10% interest. This was clearly captured in the report of the 8th Budget Monitoring Committee of the University. This also violated the Kano State Appropriation Law 2019. The Union also challenges the authorities to make public the records of the procurement processes of these vehicles to make good their claim that there is no violation.

Furthermore, as clearly captured from paragraph five (5) of the rejoinder, ‘all issues raised are the same issues submitted to the Visitation Panel that have just concluded its assignment is giving credence to the content of the Union’s press release. Equally, it suggests that the authorities have clearly come to terms with the fact that these issues were there and have even been presented to the Panel that visited the University under the directives of the Visitor, His Excellency, and the Executive Governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. Therefore, by this, there is a contradiction in the contents of the rejoinder by the University authority, all in the guise to misinform the good people of Kano and Nigeria and be economical with the truth.

If truly, the account books of the University are clean, up to date and no embezzlement, as it is claimed in the rejoinder, we are using this medium to urge the authorities to avail at least, members of the University Community the opportunity for once, to access the reports of the audited accounts of the University as provided by section 2 subsection 3 C (v) of the Freedom of Information Act 2011.

While the Union urges the authorities of the University to desist from misinforming the public, stop chasing shadows and address the issues raised, we reiterate that the diverted N 352 Million staff pension contributions and the N 190 Million tax liabilities (before the Tax Appeal Tribunal) are not addressed.

Furthermore, outstanding Earned Academic Allowances (for 2015, 2016 and 2017 session), hazard allowance arrears, staff salary arrears, 2nd Post Graduate grant, Family air ticket of members, PG supervision allowance, SIWES/TP/Field Trip (2018/2019), Refund of Registration Fees, PGD matters, Air tickets (for non-sponsored scholars) etcetera are equally the entitlements of our members we are resolved to pursue to logical conclusion. ASUU KUST Wudil will never be distracted from salvaging the University Education system and welfare of the staff and students of the University.