Students of Nigerian polytechnics may soon face another disruption in their academic calendar as the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has threatened to withdraw its services over unresolved demands.
The Zonal Coordinator of ASUP Zone B, Innocent Simji, raised this concern during a press briefing in Bauchi on Friday, explaining that the union’s stand was in line with the resolution of its national headquarters.
Simji noted that the 21-day ultimatum issued after an emergency National Executive Council meeting on August 14 in Abuja was triggered by government’s refusal to address critical issues that threaten the survival of the polytechnic system.
“The Union at her last emergency National Executive Council meeting resolved to issue a 21-day ultimatum to the government to address some germane issues threatening the survival of the polytechnic sector,” Simji said.
He listed the lingering issues to include: non-release of circulars by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission to cover peculiar academic allowances, non-payment of arrears of the 25/35 per cent salary review, and non-implementation of the review in state-owned polytechnics.
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Others, according to him, are the delay in granting a dual mandate structure to eliminate the dichotomy between polytechnic and university graduates, the non-release of approved needs assessment funds for infrastructure, and the outsourcing of the National Board for Technical Education’s quality assurance mandate to unqualified vendors.
Further grievances raised include the non-establishment of a dedicated commission for polytechnics, non-release of promotion arrears, non-implementation of promotions in state-owned polytechnics, the stalled renegotiation of the 2010 ASUP/FGN agreement, and the refusal of some states to domesticate the Federal Polytechnics Act.
He also lamented the continued dichotomy against HND holders in public service, non-release of CONTISS 15 arrears, militarisation of campuses, and undue interference in union activities, particularly at the Federal Polytechnic Nekede.
“In view of these unresolved issues and the non-committal disposition of the Federal Ministry of Education to genuine dialogue, the Union’s NEC has resolved to issue a 21-day ultimatum.
“If nothing is done within this period, we will be forced to declare a trade dispute and withdraw the services of our members across all public polytechnics and monotechnics nationwide,” Simji warned.
