Date: 2016-12-16

Members of staff unions at the Kwara State College of Education (COE), Oro have lauded the State governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed for the release of funds for the payment of outstanding salary arrears of staff of tertiary institutions in the State.

Recall that Governor Ahmed on Wednesday approved the release of N892, 482, 648.38 to five colleges of education in the State including COE, Oro to assist them in clearing backlog of workers' salary arrears.

Comrade Adeyemi Babatunde, Secretary, Joint Action Committee of the three staff unions at the institution, including Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU), Non Academic Staff Union (NASU) and Senior Staff Union of Colleges of Education in Nigeria (SSUCOEN) in a statement issued after a congress meeting on Wednesday expressed the workers' appreciation to the governor.

He noted that the approved funds will go a long way in cushioning the effect of the inability of the College management to pay 14-month salary arrears to the workers.

The Secretary also clarified that the protest embarked upon by members of the unions on Tuesday was not meant to cause a breach of peace on the school campus or forcefully sack the institution's management.

Comrade Babatunde further disclosed that the action was carried out in an attempt to commit the college management to compliment the State government's efforts by ensuring judicious use of the school's Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).