Polytechnics Lecturers Commence Warning Strike December 2
BY EDMOND ODOK – Following the Federal Government’s inability to meet its 11-point demands, the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) is set to commence a two-week nationwide warning strike beginning on December 2, 2024, to press home their concerns and demands.
The Union sharply criticized the government for being uncommitted to their agreement regarding key demands, with specific reference to the appointment of a Rector at the Federal Polytechnic in Nekede, Imo State, which was made without following proper procedures and in violation of the Federal Polytechnics Act.
Rising from its 112th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Abuja, the ASUP President, Kpanja Shamnah, expressed disappointment and frustration over the government’s apparent lack of interest in addressing the ongoing issues that have been hindering the sector’s progress for many years.
According to Kpanja; “Our union’s National Executive Council, NEC, held its 112th session to review the current status of our engagements with proprietors of Public Polytechnics, Colleges of Technology and Monotechnics in the country.
“The defining resolution of our Union’s 111th NEC was the issuance of a 15-day ultimatum to the government to address issues threatening the progress of the sector or face a withdrawal of services by our members nationwide.
“The issues listed by our union include sustained reports of impunity and disrespect of clear provisions of the Federal Polytechnics Act, different edicts establishing state-owned institutions, and other instruments of governance in the sector particularly as it affects appointment of Principal Officers in Federal and State-Owned Polytechnics as well as other items of governance in Polytechnics.
“The sordid display of the Governing Council of the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, in the appointment process of a new Rector, and the appointment of a Rector in Federal Polytechnic, Wannune without following due process were cited as recent examples of these breaches.
“Non-review of the contentious and suspended document entitled Schemes of Service for Polytechnics, non-release of the NEEDS Assessment intervention funds for 2023.
“Intrusion of the National Board for Technical Education, NBTE, into the regular functions of the Academic Boards of Polytechnics in the admission of Higher National Diploma students in the Nigerian Polytechnic System.
“Non-capturing of the peculiar academic allowance of members for sustained payment in the planned post-IPPIS era; the refusal of most state-owned Polytechnics to implement the 35/25 percent salary review for members and non-release of the arrears of same in Federal Polytechnics among others.
“Following these developments and a thorough review by our Union’s 112th NEC meeting, the union resolved to withdraw the services of its members nationwide with effect from December 2, 2024, on a two-week definite strike action in the first instance.
“This shall serve as a warning to the government to resolve the issues listed or be held responsible for an indefinite action going forward.”
Before now, ASUP has issued a 15-day ultimatum to the Federal Government and other relevant agencies to immediately review and reverse decisions that are inconsistent with the provisions of the Polytechnics Act and other governance instruments in the sub-sector.
