Provost of Abia State College of Education, Technical, Arochukwu, (ASCETA), in Arochukwu LGA, Dr. Phillips Nto has dismissed reports that four staff of the institution died of hunger as a result of non-payment of salaries.
Nto also denied the allegation by some degree students of the College that non-remittance of their school fees stalled their graduation from Abia state University, (ABSU),Uturu.
The Provost, however, lamented that enemies of the institution are tarnishing the image of the college for political reasons.
According to him, out of four Staff alleged to have died of starvation; three had already left the services of the college while there had not been autopsy by the family of the serving staff to determine the actual cause of death.
He denied the allegation by a section of the staff that workers were being owed 32 months arrears of salaries.
“Whereas the College is actually in arrears of salaries like other federal and state institutions as a result of the global economic crisis, those bandying the outrageous figures were engaging in vicious propaganda.
Some staff that was deficient in academic qualifications and performance were released to go since two years ago. They are mostly the people claiming that they are owed 32 months arrears of salaries.”
He disclosed that the state government was making efforts to settle genuine workers of the college.
On students who alleged they have been stranded at ABSU, the Provost stated the problem outdated his administration, as he has met with the leadership of the university to resolve the problem.
He disclosed that some of the students were actually the cause of their problem as they have neither graduated properly from NCE nor completed their projects.
The Provost also stated that no staff or student of the college was punished for demanding salaries or any other matter, but warned that nobody will escape disciplinary action if he or she violates the rules of the college or engages in action inimical to the progress of the state government.
