Ibadan — The premises of the Institute of Agricultural Research and Training (IAR&T), Moor Plantation, Ibadan, Oyo state was on Wednesday barricaded by members of the Joint Action Committee of Staff Unions (JAC) protesting the non-payment of allowances.

Dr Olufunmilayo Ande, the chairperson of IAR&T chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) told reporters in Ibadan that the workers were protesting against non-payment of approved hazard allowance arrears.

According to her, the workers are also protesting the refusal of management to pay the transfer allowances of those that were recently moved as well as entitlements of those newly appointed.

Ande said that the outstanding salaries were more than N177.5million saying "we do not have students here as the bulk of our work is research but most who work here are teaching staff of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, the institute's administrative supervisory agency.

"It is very saddening that since 2009, there has been no meaningful research work carried out here especially since June 11, 2012 when workers here have been on strike action.

"The strike action is centred around the non-payment of arrears of our hazard allowances to the tune of N177.5 million approved by the council of the university on December 13, 2010," Ande said.

Vice Chancellor of OAU, Prof. Bamitale Omole who spoke on phone said the management was working on the matter and the issues would be addressed soon.