BY FOLASHADE KEHINDE
THE Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, on Friday, said it was disappointed and at variance with the recent appointment of those it described as unqualified persons as rectors in five out of the six new Federal Polytechnics in Nigeria.
The Union added that it was further taken aback by what it called the hollow reaction of the government in the form of a defence against the alleged illegality.
Members of the union said they would continue to view the appointments as illegal, noting that the beneficiaries fell short of the prequalifying criteria for such appointments as stipulated by law and therefore not appointable for the office of the Rector of any (Federal) Polytechnic in the country.
They vowed to pursue their position to a logical conclusion for the benefit of the sector, the nation, and in favour of the rule of law.
These positions were contained in a statement signed by ASUP President, Anderson Ezeibe.
ASUP said, “Our Union is however disappointed and indeed is at variance with the recent appointment of unqualified persons as rectors in 5 out of the 6 new Federal Polytechnics in the country.
“We are further taken aback by the hollow reaction of the government in the form of a defence to this illegality. We shall continue to view these appointments as illegal as the beneficiaries fell short of the prequalifying criteria for such appointment as stipulated by law and therefore not appointable for the office of the Rector of any (Federal) Polytechnic in the country.”
It added, “We are determined to pursue this position to a logical conclusion for the benefit of the sector, the nation, and in favour of the rule of law.
“While holding our position in the trenches of this ongoing engagement (until a time the organs of our Union deem fit), we shall sustain the current engagements with the government particularly in furthering and establishing the gains of the engagements of the 6th and 14th of April 2021.”
Members of the union also faulted the postponement of the meeting earlier scheduled to hold with the Federal Government’s team on Thursday, led by the Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige.
The meeting was meant to resolve all pending issues that led to the ongoing strike.
The statement said, “Nigerians may recall that our Union commenced an industrial action effective 6th April 2021 to draw the attention of the government to the deplorable state of our public Polytechnics and Monotechnics.
“This is with a view to a reversal of the fortunes of the institutions and placing them on a strong pedestal towards meeting their obligations to the Nigerian people.
“The industrial action, currently in its 10th day has witnessed strong compliance levels by Chapters of our Union across the nation and has led to some knee-jerk reactions from the government both at the Federal and State levels.
“The Union has been involved in 2 out of 3 scheduled meetings with the Federal Government as represented by top officials of the Federal Ministry of Education as well as Labour and Employment on the 6th and 14th of April, 2021.
“The third meeting scheduled for 15th of April was postponed to a later date due to the unavailability of the convener (The Honorable Minister of Labour and Employment).
“The agreed date shall be communicated to the parties after confirmation with the relevant agencies expected at the meeting.
“The meetings as held on the 6th and 14th of April 2021 has resulted to some significant outcomes even as we continue to press for appropriate documentation (for process-led actions), and practical steps for those demands requiring immediate action.
“Within this industrial action, Governing Councils have been set up for all Federal Polytechnics and due to be inaugurated on the 20th of April, 2021.
“This is expected to complete the governance structures in all Federal Polytechnics in the country and therefore ensure the conclusion of stalled staff appraisal processes and appointment of principal officers in affected institutions amongst others.
“It shall also serve to resuscitate the abandoned renegotiation of the Union’s 2010 agreement with the government. Visitation panels have also been inaugurated for the Federal Polytechnics.”
The union said despite its strong reservations to the composition of these panels among other issues, it hoped that the outcomes of the panels would mark a departure from the previous practices of non-release of reports.
“We have equally witnessed the recent appointment of a substantive Executive Secretary of the regulatory body for the sector,” it stated.
“Reports from some state governments, notably Kano, Katsina, and Osun indicate ongoing and productive engagements as it affects issues of unpaid salaries, lack of governing councils, and non-implementation of new minimum wage among others peculiar to the affected states,” ASUP added.
