Physically-challenged employees of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, under the aegis of Association of UNIZIK Staff with Disabilities, have lamented their unpaid salaries since 2020 that they were engaged as employees by the institution.
Report gathered that their inability to be captured into the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System since 2020, is the cause of their predicament and the reason they have not been receiving their salaries since 2020.
The group therefore urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other relevant agencies to intervene in their plights and help them remove the bureaucratic bottlenecks, saying that life has become unbearably difficult as a result.
In an open letter addressed to President Tinubu and made available to our correspondent in Awka, on Monday, the group urged the President to use his good offices to compel IPPIS to capture them into the payment platform.
The letter, signed by the Coordinator of ANAUSD, Onukwue Chijioke, reads in part, “We are the 10 physically-challenged persons that were offered employment at UNIZIK in 2020.
“Your Excellency, it might surprise you to note that since 2020, that we have been discharging our duties, we are yet to be remunerated as a result of failure of IPPIS to capture us into the payment platform.
“Probably, the school authority might have made attempts to bring IPPIS staff to enrol us on the payment platform, but to no avail. In addition, IPPIS conducted capturing exercises in December 2020 and May 2023 respectively.
“However, none of the physically challenged employees was considered. Perhaps, the school management might have a better explanation for that.
“On our part, we found it heart-breaking. The situation has gotten to the breaking point because some of us who have underlying illnesses are finding it difficult to purchase medications for our health management. At this point, we are helpless.
“Sir, we humbly appeal to you to use your good offices to compel IPPIS and the management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University to facilitate our enrolment into the IPPIS database for the commencement of our remuneration to enable us to serve our dear nation much better.
“We beckon on you considering the fact as a father; you have shown interest in the physically-challenged citizens, following your nationwide broadcast on October 1, 2023, marking the 63rd independence anniversary of our great country. We wait in anticipation for your response. We can be reached out to on these telephone numbers 07036947658 and 08066418546. Thank you for your co-operation.”
Lamenting that despite several complaints and visitations to the office of the Accountant-General of the Federation in Abuja, the Office of SSA on Disability Matters to the President, National Commission for People with Disabilities, no tangible efforts have been made to help their plights.
