The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP has urged the Federal Government to release the arrears of minimum wage owed her members in the spirit of industrial harmony.
The union through her president Comrade Anderson Ezeibe told journalists that the fragile industrial harmony in the sector is not sustainable as such government should be held responsible for any break down of industrial dispute in the sector.
READ ALSO
He described it as unfortunate that the government is expanding her neglect against polytechnics education in Nigeria.
Comrade Ezeibe further disclosed that the National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the union would meet in the first quarter of 2021 with the view of reviewing the situation and make a decision on the matter.
Read below the text by the president comrade Anderson Ezeibe
THE GOVERNMENT OF NIGERIA CONTINUES TO EXPAND THE FRONTIERS OF NEGLECT AGAINST THE POLYTECHNICS IN NIGERIA
Gentlemen of the press, it has become important once again to appraise the Nation of the unsavory developments in public polytechnics in the country.
Yet again, the reports from Nigerian Technical and Vocational Education subsector is replete with details of neglect in terms of governance processes, funding, the policy direction of governments as well as the wellbeing of members of our Union.
.
READ ALSO
NON RECONSTITUTION OF GOVERNING COUNCILS IN FEDERAL POLYTECHNICS: Since May 2020, Federal Polytechnics in the Country have been operating without Governing Councils. The absence of the apex governance organ for Polytechnics is a gross violation of the Federal Polytechnics ACT and has severely undermined smooth operations of Polytechnics in Nigeria as the requisite oversight activities and other statutory functions of Governing Councils continue to upset the system.
NON RELEASE OF THE SCHEME OF SERVICE AND CONDITIONS OF SERVICE FOR THE SECTOR: The sector is still awaiting the release of these two vital documents of governance needed to administer Polytechnics. The disinterest from the Federal Ministry of Education in this regard has stalled the release of these documents and as such the sector continues to suffer.
Non Adherence to The Provisions of THE POLYTECHNICS ACT: Some chief executives in the sector still take pleasure in abusing the provisions of the Federal Polytechnics ACT (2019 Amendment). Clear cases are seen in the election of council reps from the congregation and Academic Board as well as the election of Heads of Departments.
FUNDING
Public Polytechnics and Colleges of Technology in Nigeria continue to reel in a heavy funding deficit. The NEEDS ASSESSMENT report of 2014 as it affects the funding deficit in
Our Union has been patient but has been continuously rewarded with more misery. We want to reiterate that the current status of fragile industrial harmony in the sector is unsustainable and as such the government should be held totally responsible for a breakdown of industrial harmony in the sector.
This is even as we demand that the government should as a matter of urgency:
Inaugurate without further delay, governing councils in Federal Po|ytechnics. Integrate Polytechnics in the government’s Energizing Education Initiative. Commence imp|ementation of the NEEDS ASSESSMENT report for Polytechnics. Resume the renegotiation of our Union’s agreement with the government.
Release owed arrears of the new minimum wage of our members.
Commence implementation of the new minimum wage in states of the federation
Review the appointment of the Rector in Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic Bauchi and align the same with the standards in tertiary institutions by the Bauchi State government.
Review the appointment of Rector in Federal Polytechnic Bida and align the same with the provisions in the Federal Polytechnics-ACT.
Recall our dismissed colleagues in IMT Enugu, Federal Polytechnic Mubi, and Rufus Giwa Polytechnic Owo.
Release salaries owed our members in state polytechnics in Abia, Osun, Ogun, Edo and |mo.
Provide adequate security in campuses for the security of our members and students.
The NEC of our Union will be meeting in the first quarter of the year 2021 to review the status of these issues.
Anders . Ezeibe (President)