The National Association Academic Technologists (NAAT) has expressed concerns over the exemption granted Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) by the Federal Government, warning that it might result in over bloated personnel cost that characterised the system in the past.
Comrade Ibeji Nwokoma, President of NAAT raised the concern in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.
Commending the government, he said NAAT appreciates the fact that by this action, University autonomy will be restored, however, we have our reservations on payment uniformity of salaries and allowances across Federal Tertiary Institutions as it was achieved under IPPIS despite its shortcomings.
He appealed to the Federal Government to ensure prompt release of adequate funds for payment of salaries and allowances of Staff of Tertiary Institutions to avoid shortfalls and delays.
According to Nwokoma, with the exit of Federal Tertiary Institutions from IPPIS, NAAT is curious to seek for clarification from Government on the way forward as nothing can exist out of nothing.
“We received with concern the news of approval by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) of the exemption of Federal Tertiary Institutions; Universities, Polytechnics and Colleges of Education from Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System as announced by the Honourable Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman.
“Our Union advocates for the continuous use of a centralized payment platform to sustain the gains already achieved through IPPIS and reduce the incidence of over-bloated personnel cost and ghost workers being major reasons for creation of IPPIS.
“We urge Government to prioritize all aspect of funding of Tertiary Education for a sustainable and overall National growth and Development.
“We also urge the Management of Tertiary Institutions to seize this opportunity to restore public confidence in their ability to manage resources prudently for efficient service delivery.
“We hope Government will not use this exit to shy away from its responsibility of proper funding of Education at all levels as enshrined in 1999 Constitution as amended,” the NAAT President stated.
