The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) on Tuesday hinted that the members may withdraw their services in Polytechnics nationwide any moment following government and her agents neglect of the polytechnic sub sector.
The union also threatened to go on one week strike to press home for the reversal of appointments of rectors of Bida and Ile-Oluji Federal Polytechnics because it does not follow due process.
Arising from her 94th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Kaduna, the union urged president muhammadu Buhari to urgently signed into law the polytechnic Act to ensure progress in the sub sector.
In a communiqué signed by the National Publicity Secretary of the union, Comrade Chris Nkoro also lamented over insecurity in the country and urge government at all level to brace up to the challenges in Nigeria.
The communiqué reads “Noting this, the NEC appreciates the 8th National Assembly for having passed the corrected Amendment Bill of the Polytechnics Act.
”The NEC however, calls on the FME and NBTE to quickly facilitate the process of transmitting of and the subsequent signing of the Bill by the President, Mohammadu Buhari as soon as possible for improved productivity and best practices in the Polytechnics and Monotechnics.
“The persistent lethargic disposition of the Federal government and its agencies towards re-negotiation of FGN/ASUP agreement is utterly disappointing to the 94th NEC which views this as a ploy to cripple the system and perpetuate suffering on our members.
“The NEC urges the Federal government to without further delay, commence the re-negotiation process.
“The NEC sadly observed that while the Union had agreed on the terms of enrolling of the sector into IPPIS, some rectors have continued to use backhand ploy to enroll some institutions without recourse to our Union’s documented peculiar concerns. The NEC therefore calls on government to promptly call these erring rectors to order.
“The NEC is unimpressed that shortfalls and CONTISS 15 migration challenges have persisted, even with continued assurances by government that this situation has been dealt with by government.
“The NEC expects therefore that with the conclusion of the 2019 general election, these issues would be addressed squarely by government immediately.
“ Conditions in State Polytechnics/Monotechnics in terms of delay in payment of salaries, arrears of promotions, and other infractions are still sources of grave concern to the NEC. These situations still prevail in Abia, Kogi, Imo, Osun, Oyo, Benue, Nasarawa, Niger, Ekiti, Ondo and Zamfara. The NEC therefore reiterates the firm invocation of the “no salary, no accreditation” policy on the institutions concerned and further urges that all cases of victimization should be adequately redressed immediately.
“The NEC observed that some institutions, especially in the states were yet to key into the overall national interest on education. It was disheartening that Shehu Idris College of Health Sciences and Technology Management, (SICHTM), Makarfi as they have not implemented the 65years retirement age, migration to CONPCASS, inadequate infrastructure, non-sponsorship of staff to conferences, and non-research grants”.
On the appointment of rectors of Federal Polytechnics Bida and Ile-Oluji, the union “frowned at the showdy process of appointing rectors in some polytechnics without due diligence. This has become an embarrassment to the sector and does not potend industrial harmony in the sector, particularly affected recently include Bida and Ile Ile-Oluji.
“The NEC therefore called on the Federal government to redress and rescind the decision, failure which the union will embark on a one – week national strike”.