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The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Zone C (South-West), on Wednesday expressed concern over unresolved issues affecting polytechnic education and staff welfare in the country.
The union also decried the Federal Government’s refusal to honour agreements signed by both parties.
The ASUP Coordinator in the zone, Mr. Masopa Nurudeen, raised the concern at a news conference at the Gateway (ICT) Polytechnic in Saapade, Ogun State.
He described the situation as unacceptable.
The coordinator highlighted the union’s 13 major grievances, including non-payment of lecturers’ allowances, stalled promotions, and poor infrastructure funding.
He also listed failure to implement reforms contained in the Federal Ministry of Education’s approved roadmap.
According to him, ASUP members will not want to continue working under such conditions.
He said: “Central to the demands is the unresolved Peculiar Academic Allowance, a product of the 2010 ASUP/FGN agreement. Continuity of the payment cannot be guaranteed without proper documentation from relevant agencies.”
He also expressed dissatisfaction that the federal government permitted the outsourcing of accreditation personnel.
Nurudeen argued that the development compromised quality assurance, bred corruption, and imposed unnecessary financial burdens on institutions.
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“Another major concern is the failure to pay 12 months’ arrears of consequential salary adjustment.
“We are not pleased with the situation. Many staff have been unfairly deprived despite existing government pronouncements.
“We equally condemn the delay in releasing the 2023 NEEDS Assessment Intervention Fund. Poor facilities remain a stumbling block for learning and research; yet, funds for redress remain locked.
“Our members also frown at failure to implement the 2019 Federal Polytechnic Act across state-owned polytechnics. This has left staff vulnerable to forced retirement and other administrative injustices in several states,” he stated.
The coordinator warned that failure to resolve the issues would compel the union to embark on a nationwide strike.
Source: RipplesNigeria | Read the Full Story…
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