YENAGOA — The Bayelsa State Government has approved the implementation of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) and Consolidated Non-Teaching Tools Allowance (CONTTA) for academic and non-teaching staff of the state’s three government-owned universities.
The Deputy Governor, Dr Peter Akpe, disclosed the approval on Friday during a resumed meeting with the leadership of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) representing Niger Delta University (NDU), Bayelsa Medical University (BMU) and the University of Africa, Toru-Orua (UAT), in Yenagoa.
Akpe, in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Doubara Atasi, said the decision followed a resolution recently passed by the Bayelsa State House of Assembly and subsequently forwarded to Governor Douye Diri for consideration and approval.
He explained that the implementation of the allowances would have a significant financial impact on the state, increasing the government’s monthly expenditure by more than N500 million across the three universities.
According to the deputy governor, the state government would commence payment of the approved wage increase, estimated at N2.25 billion, from October 2026.
He added that the outstanding arrears arising from the 25 to 35 per cent wage award would be paid next year, noting that the government had already made provision for the payment in the 2027 budget.
Akpe said the decision reflected the labour-friendly disposition of the Diri administration and demonstrated the willingness of both the executive and legislative arms of government to address the concerns raised by ASUU.
He noted that the government’s objective was to resolve the issues affecting the state-owned universities and prevent recurrent disruptions to academic activities.
The deputy governor therefore appealed to ASUU to reconsider its ongoing indefinite strike and allow academic activities to resume in the interest of students and the wider university community.
He also assured the union that the outstanding arrears had been captured in the state’s 2027 budget.
Akpe said: “His Excellency, the Governor does not want any kind of fracas or friction with labour. So, he has graciously approved, even though we saw some strong elements of intimidation from the ASUU end.
“We decided not to toe that path in the interest of our children and the good relationship we have maintained with labour over the years as a government.
“We wrote to the Assembly because of the huge amount involved in the implementation. They approved the payment on the proposed dates and also added the arrears in the 2027 budget.
“This is the position of government, and I believe that with the short discussion we have had here today, we have met most, if not all, of your demands. And so, let’s now allow normalcy to return to our universities.”
Responding separately, the immediate past Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, Port Harcourt Zone, Prof. Stanley Ogoun, and the Chairperson of the ASUU, NDU Chapter, Dr Oyinkepreye Bebeteidoh, commended the Bayelsa State Government for its efforts to address the issues raised by the union.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Bebeteidoh said the three ASUU chapter chairpersons had agreed to immediately convene congresses in their respective universities.
She explained that the purpose of the congresses was to brief union members on the latest offer presented by the state government, which she described as impressive.
Bebeteidoh, who was flanked by the Chairperson of ASUU, BMU Chapter, Dr Sylva Ligeiaziba, and her counterpart at the University of Africa, Toru-Orua, Dr Sunny Abeki, however, stressed that ASUU would follow due process before taking a final decision on the ongoing industrial action.
She said the union leadership would present the government’s offer to its members, after which the respective congresses would deliberate on whether to suspend or call off the strike.
The development is expected to pave the way for further discussions between the state government and the university workers as both sides seek a resolution to the issues that led to the industrial action.
