Unions accuse Opadeyi of micromanaging; says he failed to submit NIS, GRA payments

[www.inewesguyana.com] – The University of Guyana unions – University of Guyana Workers Union (UGWU) and the University of Guyana Senior Staff Association (UGSSA) are accusing UG’s Vice Chancellor Professor Jacob Opadeyi of micromanaging the institution to its detriment.

In a release to the media, the unions noted that Opadeyi has taken to the public with “crocodile tears” when he in fact is partially responsible for the current state of the University.

Opadeyi in a recently issued statement blamed the nation for the current state of UG pointing out that the national community sat by and idly watched as the university deteriorated over the years.

But according to the unions, Opadeyi is “shedding crocodile tears over the plight of staff and students while he has been directly responsible for perpetuating rather than remedying the maladies.”

The release noted that the VC has been managing the University like it is his personal business and not a state-owned institution. It said Opadeyi has taken direct control of almost all academic appointments including deans, directors and heads of departments.

“He is micromanaging all departments and systems including the Bursary and the Personnel Division, notwithstanding the appointment of competent individuals. When will he learn that decentralisation and the empowerment of faculty and staff are far more effective, dollar for dollar, than his transaction-leadership-scientific management approach?” the release noted.

It was also pointed out that the Vice Chancellor is engaging in the illegal practice of failing to remit National Insurance Scheme(NIS), Guyana Revenue Authority(GRA) and Credit Union for the workers at the university.

According to the unions, while UG’s administration is saying the entity is cash strapped, there has been notable increase in the fiscal budget for 2015 and these are all aimed for the betterment of the ‘executives’ of the institution.

“If the University is so strapped for cash, why is the VC bloating his senior executive group? If the University has no money for salary increases, why does his 2015 budget propose an increase from 62.150 million to 97.916 million under the line item ‘executive’ emoluments and allowances?” the release noted.

Efforts made to contact Professor Opadeyi for a comment on Thursday, February 19, proved futile.