The University of Benin (UNIBEN) has denied reports alleging that its academic staff received half salaries in August.
The university in a statement on Wednesday, by its Public Relations Officer, Dr Benedicta Ehanire, described the reports published by some newspapers and online platforms as false.
Ehanire said the Federal Government had paid the salaries of all categories of members of staff of the university up to August.
“The management of the university of Benin says it is not true that academic staff of the institution were paid half salary in August,” she said.
According to her, the confusion arose from the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA), which was mistakenly presented as part payment of staff salaries.
She explained that the allowance had since been released by the Federal Government and promptly disbursed to eligible members of staff.
“The consolidated academic tools allowance which was confused for salary, has now been released by the Federal Government and promptly disbursed to staff, who are entitled to it,” she stated.
The public relations officer urged media organisations and other stakeholders to verify allegations concerning the institution before publication.
UNIBEN, as a public institution, she said, had established channels for authenticating information.
“Management assured members of staff that all legitimate entitlements due to them would be paid without hindrance.”
Ehanire also appealed to stakeholders to avoid undue sensationalisation of issues.
This, she said, was necessary to sustain the prevailing industrial harmony in the university and the Nigerian university system.
