Bayelsa Govt Approves CATA In Push For ASUU To Call Off Strike

The Bayelsa State Government has approved the implementation of the Consolidated Academic Tools Allowance (CATA) and the Consolidated Non-teaching Tools Allowance (CONTTA) for academic and non academic staff of its three universities.

The Deputy Governor, Dr Peter Akpe, announced the approval at a resumed meeting with the leadership of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) representing the Niger Delta University, NDU, Bayelsa Medical University, BMU, and the University of Africa, Toru-Orua, UAT, at his office in Government House, Yenagoa, on Friday.

In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mr Doubara Atasi, the Deputy Governor said the approval followed a resolution recently passed by the state House of Assembly and communicated to Governor Douye Diri for consideration and approval.

Dr Akpe explained that the financial implication for the implementation of the allowances, would cost government a monthly increase of over 500 million Naira across the three universities.

According to him, the state government will commence payment of the wage increase totalling about N2.25billion by October this year, while the 25-35% wage award arrears are scheduled for payment next year.

He underscored the labour friendly disposition of the Governor Diri-led prosperity administration, stressing that both the executive and legislative arms of the state government worked together to comprehensively address ASUU’s demands to avoid frequent disruption of academic activities in the state-owned universities.

Dr Akpe, who urged ASUU to call off its ongoing indefinite strike to strengthen the prevailing good government-labour relations and in the interest of the students, assured that government has already captured payment of the humongous arrears in its 2027 budget.

His words: 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 tow 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 (the Assembly) 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 of , if not all of your demands. And so, let’s now allow normalcy to return to our universities.”

In their separate responses, the immediate past Zonal Coordinator of ASUU, Port Harcourt Zone, Prof. Stanley Ogoun, and the Chairperson of ASUU, NDU Chapter, Dr Oyinkepreye Bebeteidoh, commended the state government for its efforts towards addressing the union’s demands.

Addressing Government House Correspondents shortly after the meeting, Dr Bebeteidoh, assured that all the three ASUU chairpersons had agreed to immediately convene congress in their respective chapters to inform their members of government’s latest offer, which he described as impressive.

Flanked by the Chairperson of BMU, Dr Sylva Ligeiaziba and his University of Africa Toru-Orua counterpart, Dr Sunny Abeki, the NDU ASUU leader, however, expressed commitment to following due process in calling off the ongoing industrial action.

Credit: Doubara Atasi, Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Deputy Governor, Bayelsa State – Friday 21st August, 2026.