ASUP to commence strike October 21st

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, Zone B, has asked proprietors of public polytechnics to meet their demands or face a shutdown of the institutions as the deadline for the 15-day ultimatum earlier issued elapses on the 21st of this month.

The Coordinator of Zone B, Simji Lumpye, who, alongside some of his officials and members, addressed journalists in Jos on Friday, lamented the sorry state in which the proprietors of public polytechnics, colleges of technology, and monotechnic in the country have subjected them to.

He said, “Our Union’s National Executive Council met at its 111th NEC to review the current status of our engagements with proprietors of public polytechnics, colleges of technology, and monotechnics in the country. Specifically, our union extensively reviewed some disturbing issues affecting the polytechnic sector in her last NEC meeting held in Abuja.

“These issues include but are not limited to the 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.

“Non-review of the contentious and suspended document titled Scheme of Service for Polytechnics and the non-release of conditions of service. Non-release of the second tranche of the NEEDS Assessment intervention funds. The 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 in the budget for sustained payment in the planned post-IPPIS era. 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-release of the owed CONTISS 15 migration arrears to members in the lower cadre. Non-conclusion of the ASUP/FGN 2010 agreement renegotiation process. Nonpayment of promotion arrears in state and federal institutions and no implementation of promotion in some state-owned institutions.”