The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP) in Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, Ondo State, has begun an indefinite strike over unpaid subventions by the state government.
Addressing reporters at the weekend in Akure, the state capital, ASUP Chairman Rafiu Ijawoye said the money represented the two-time slashed subventions by the last Olusegun Mimiko administration and that of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN).
This, he said, led to N1.7 billion unpaid salaries of workers for 10 months.
It demanded the payment of 16 months’ Consolidated Polytechnic Salary Structure (CONPOCASS) allowance, which it said is long overdue.
Ijawoye assured stakeholders the union will dialogue with the government as soon as it gets an invitation.
The union leader said the workers did not deserve such neglect while their counterparts in the civil service were paid regularly.
He said: “On accreditation: as it stands, all programmes being offered by the polytechnic are due for accreditation and are under the threat of being de-accredited, apparently due to deliberate starvation of funds.
“The polytechnic community as well as the collapsing state of infrastructure in the institution is worrisome. This, unfortunately, is due to lackadaisical and inept attitude of the management and the insensitivity of the government towards the collective goals and aspirations of this oldest institution in Ondo State.
“Decaying infrastructure, abandonment of projects, inadequate lecture rooms, acute shortage of accommodation and non-availability of seats, as well as a situation where students have to remain on their feet during lectures, are uncomfortable.