The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has issued a 15-day ultimatum to the Nigerian Government to attend to numerous issues affecting the smooth operations of polytechnics and mono-technics in the country or face a prolonged industrial action.
Addressing journalists at the Plateau State Polytechnic, Barkin Ladi in Plateau State Zonal Coordinator Zone B, Lumpye Simji stated that the national executive council at its last meeting, reviewed the current status of engagements with proprietors of public polytechnics, colleges of technology and mono-technics in the country, specifically on some disturbing issues affecting the polytechnic sector.
Some of the issues in contention for discussion and agitation 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 the appointment of principal officers in federal and state-owned institutions, as well as other items of governance in polytechnics.
Others are the non-review of the contentious and suspended document titled Scheme of Service for Polytechnics, the non-release of conditions of service; the non-release of the second tranche of the needs assessment intervention funds, and others.
“Refusal of state governments to implement the 25/35% salary review for members and non-release of the arrears of same in federal polytechnics.”
“Non-payment of promotion arrears in state and federal institutions and non-implementation of promotion in some state-owned institutions.” The union leadership added.
The national executive council of the union thereafter called for immediate review and reversal of all decisions or acts of impunity inconsistent with the provisions of the Polytechnics Act and other instruments of governance in the sector
It also resolved for immediate commencement of the review process of the suspended document titled Scheme of Service for Polytechnics as agreed in the tripartite meeting of July 2024.
Other decisions include the release of the second tranche of the needs assessment intervention fund for public polytechnics and colleges of technology; cessation of all acts undermining, or duplicating the responsibilities of academic boards of polytechnics in students’ admission processes by the note as demonstrated by its recent launch of a students’ admission portal; the inclusion of the negotiated peculiar academic allowance in the budget against post IPPIS payment scheme and template for members; immediate implementation of the approved 25/35% salary review across all tertiary institutions in the states, and the payment of the accrued arrears.
Given the listed demands, the union said it had resolved to continue its advocacy for a functional polytechnic and mono-technic education system in the country.
It then issued a 15-day ultimatum as required by law which commenced on the 7th of October, 2024 to proprietors of public polytechnics for the items to be addressed or face different forms of trade disputes.
