Victoria Mbangwa
The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has announced that its members will begin a two-week warning strike starting December 2, 2024.
This action follows the government’s failure to address a range of issues affecting the polytechnic sector, despite previous warnings and negotiations.
ASUP President, Kpanja Shamnah, made this known at the 112th National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, emphasizing on several key grievances, including the controversial appointment of a Rector at the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Imo State.
ASUP has accused the Federal Government of breaching the Federal Polytechnics Act by appointing a Rector without adhering to the proper legal processes. A similar issue was raised regarding the appointment of a Rector at Federal Polytechnic, Wannune, where due procedures were allegedly ignored.
He said, “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 resolutions 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; 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.”
Kpanja also warned that the two-week strike would serve as a warning to the government. If the issues remain unresolved, ASUP has threatened to escalate the industrial action to an indefinite strike. The union’s leadership has called on the government to take immediate steps to address the demands to prevent further disruptions in the polytechnic sector, which could affect thousands of students and staff members across the country.
“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 weeks 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.” He added.
