By Our correspondent
Physically-challenged employees of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, under the aegis of Association of UNIZIK Staff with Disabilities, have lamented their unpaid salaries since 2020 when they were engaged as employees by the institution.
According to the group, their inability to be captured into the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) since 2020 is the cause of their predicament and the reason they have not been receiving their salaries.
In an open letter addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, 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.”
The group explained that IPPIS conducted capturing exercises in December 2020 and May 2023, respectively, but none of the physically-challenged employees was considered.
They lamented 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, and National Commission for People with Disabilities, no tangible efforts have been made to help their plight.
Onukwue stated that the situation has become unbearable, adding that some of them who have underlying illnesses are finding it difficult to purchase medications for their health management.
“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,” the letter reads.
The group beckoned on President Tinubu, considering his previous show of interest in physically-challenged citizens, following his nationwide broadcast on October 1, 2023, marking the 63rd independence anniversary of the country.
They provided their contact numbers, 07036947658 and 08066418546, for reach-out purposes and expressed hope for the President’s response.
