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Tag: ASUP

  • Auchi poly workers suspend strike

    Auchi poly workers suspend strike

    Workers of the Federal Polytechnic Auchi in Edo State have suspended their one month old strike.

    The workers were directed by their various unions to return to work.

    Unions that went on strike in the polytechnic were Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP) and Non-Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (NASUP).

    The unions embarked on the strike over failure of institution’s management to enroll staff of the institution on “CONTISS 15 Migration Salary Structure for Level 11 downward, non-payment of promotion arrears and alleged indebtedness of N1.8billion owed the unions.

    In a communiqué jointly issued after a Joint Action Congress (JAC) meeting the unions directed all staff of the institution to resume their duties.

    The communiqué was signed by Abdulganiyu Braimah (ASUP) Omonekhai Shaka (SSANIP) Solomon Aliabakhalumhe (NASU).

    According to the communique, “Sequel to the deliberations and resolutions reached at the inaugural meeting between the new management led by Dr. Sanusi Jimah and the executive member of the joint unions ASUP, SSANIP and NASU.

    “The current strike embarked upon by the unions on February 6 to press home our demands, we hereby suspend the strike as workers are directed to resume their duties.”

     

  • YABATECH joins ASUP warning strike

    The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) Chapter, on Monday downed tools following the directive of the union’s National president, Usman Dutse to embark on a week-long warning strike.

    A statement signed by Duste, and read by Mr Adeyemi Davidson, ASUP Chairman, YABATECH chapter, noted: “The year 2013/2014 marked a turning point in our strategy of engagement with the government as a trade union. An industrial strike action which cumulatively lasted for 11 months was marked departure from what our union was known for. Yet the government gave us no choice but to fight for the soul of the sector through the trenches as our mature disposition over the years was clearly seen as a sign of weakness.

    “Comrades, more than two years after this long drawn struggle, we are being dragged again into the battle front as the gains of the previous struggles are being eroded by the inactions of government. Since 2016, our union has, through resolutions of organs of our union and several correspondents, drawn the attention of government to our demands.”

    The union is agitating for the implementation of the NEEDS Assessment report which as at July 2014 revealed that public polytechnics and Colleges of Technology in Nigeria need minimum of six hundred and fifty-two billion, five hundred and ninety one million, four hundred and seventy eight thousand, six hundred and fourteen naira (N652,591,478,614) to renovate infrastructure, which till date, according to the union, the government has not implemented.

    The statement also expressed the issue of delay in the review of the Federal Polytechnics Act.

    It reads in part: “The Ministry is yet to demonstrate any interest in this matter as the harmonization meeting to be convened by the ministry is yet to be done. The Amendment Bill, currently at the committee stage in the Senate is due to the effort of a private member.

    “Non-Commencement of Renegotiation of the ASUP/government agreement of 2010: the government is yet to demonstrate interest in this direction. This is willful violation of the signed agreement.”

    The union is also agitating for the removal of the age long entry level dichotomy against the HND holders, sustained poor funding of public polytechnics, withdrawal of allowances in federal polytechnics since 2016, sustained shortfall in personnel allocation, as well as the non-funding of promotion exercise.

    Dutse lamented that state-owned polytechnics suffered a worse fate than their Federal counterparts.

    “Our colleagues in the state are worse off as they operate without grants. Members are owed salaries in arrears ranging from two to eight months with Edo, Bayelsa, and Abia States at an inglorious lead; victimization of union officials, non-release of union check-off dues and interference in the union activities despite assurances from the NBTE/Rectors/unions meetings of 24th August and 6th  September 2016 on peaceful resolution of these issues,” he said.

    Adeyemi said the government has shown no sign of seriousness to execute the demands of the union despite efforts made, therefore the need for the strike.

    He sympathized with the students and urged them to understand the need of the strike and pay solidarity to it.

  • Polytechnic lecturers begin one week warning strike

    Polytechnic lecturers begin one week warning strike

    The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP) will on Monday, January 30, begin a one week warning strike to protest government refusal to honour its agreement with the union and fund the polytechnic sector.
    National President of the Union, Comrade Usman Dutse said the union’s one month ultimatum to government expired in December 2016 without any visible sign of government willingness to meet the demands of the union, leaving them with no choice than to embark on a warning strike.
    Dutse said in a statement after an emergency National Executive Council meeting of the union in Abuja that the union had earlier given the government an ultimatum in July 2016, but decide to stay action on its proposed strike because of appeal from the government and renewed the ultimatum in November, 2016.
    He said despite the magnanimity of the union, the government failed to address the issues raised by the union, which include the non implementation of the NEEDS assessment reports, poor funding of public polytechnics, deliberate attempt to frustrate the resolution of the meeting of the council on establishment in July 2016 and victimisation of union members as well as interference in union activities.
    Other issues include Non release of CONTISS 15 migration arrears, non release of visitation panel reports of federal polytechnic as well as non release of ministerial panel to federal polytechnic a in Auchi, Oko, Yaba and Ado Ekiti, delay in the review of the federal polytechnic act, non commencement of renegotiation of ASUP/government agreement of 2010 and government’s tardiness in the appointment of Rectors of Federal polytechnics.
    He said that there was no attempt by the government to improve the funding of public polytechnics in the country as the 2017 budget currently before the National Assembly does not have any provision to that effect.
    He said further that there were attempts to frustrate the decision taken at the National Council on Establishment held in Minna in 2016 directing the removal of the age long entry level dichotomy against HND holders, while no further step has been taken on the issue.
    He also accused the government of not showing any interest in amending the Federal Polytechnic Act, adding that the bill amending the act currently before the National Assembly was the effort of a private member.
    He also said that the government has not demonstrated any verifiable interest in renegotiating its 2010 agreement with the union, adding that the Babalakin Committee set up by the government was only meant for the universities, since nobody from the Polytechnic sector is a member of the committee.
    He said: “we are told that the committee to negotiate with the Polytechnic unions has been set up, but its membership is yet to be announced and inaugurated. Babalakin may also head that committee, but let me say that we are not part of the committee that has been announced because you cannot negotiate what you don’t

  • Rector, ASUP trade tackles at Bida Poly

    Rector, ASUP trade tackles at Bida Poly

    The Federal Polytechnic, Bida, chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) is up in arms against the management of the institution over allegations of misappropriation and other malpractices.
    The Rector, Abubakar Abdul Dzukogi, has called the union’s bluff, claiming its members were afraid of verification, report JUSTINA ASISHANA (Minna) and ADENIKE ADEYEMO (ND II, Mass Communication, Bida Poly).

    The management of the Federal Polytechnic, Bida, in Niger State and the institution’s chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) are locked in a tussle over allegations of misappropriation of funds, suspension of some negotiated allowances as well as alleged underhand dealings.

    Accusations and counter accusations have been flying between the two groups.

    On the one hand, ASUP accused the Rector, Abubakar Abdul Dzukogi, of spending a huge amount of money on maintaining his car and sponsoring a faceless group.

    The Union claimed Dzukogi changed the windscreen of his Peugeot car with N1 million, which they said trippled the price in the market.

    Defending himself, Dzukogi said the windscreen did not cost that amount, adding that the allegation was baseless.

    He challenged anyone with proof that he changed the windscreen with N1 million to come forward with it. He also said he had receipts for the repairs and the purchase of the vehicle which cost N11 million.

    “The receipt is there; the windscreen and workmanship cost less than N100,0000.  The receipt for the purchase is available.  However, a committee has been set up to address the issue. I am a man of integrity. I have held various positions before becoming the Rector. I will never do anything to soil my name,” he said.

    Dzukogi said the whole outcry started when the management ordered that all workers should submit their original credentials for verification.  He claimed that the allegations were part of the antics of ASUP to disrupt the verification process because most of them were unqualified and feared the exercise may affect them.

    “The union leadership has not been comfortable with the ongoing verification exercise by the management to ascertain the qualifications of staff. The management has motivated members of staff but everyone must work for his salary,” he said.

    However, ASUP Chairman, Comrade Umar Saganuwan, said its members were not afraid of the exercise, alleging that the Rector only said that to cover his track.

    He said the union’s grouse had to do with unlawful and arbitrary suspension of some negotiated allowances, which it demanded should be reinstated immediately.  He alleged that the Rector sponsored a group to harass ASUP members because of their demands.

    “Our stance incidentally led to reprisals of ignoble antics by management to undermine the unity of members and discredit the leadership of the union; some of which involved the sponsorship of a faceless group called ‘Integrity group,’” he said.

    He claimed the Integrity Group was antagonising the union Leadership and disrupting its activities.

    Efforts by The Nation to meet some of the members of the “Integrity Group” proved abortive as they were not ready to speak to our correspondent.

    However, the students have defended the Rector, saying he is not guilty of the accusations being levelled against him. They claim ASUP was looking for an opportunity to embark on strike.

    Students’ Union President, Comrade Adeyeye Olugbenga, who is also President, National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), said the Rector was not guilty of the accusations.

    He added that certain allowances were normally given to workers before the recession started, but because of the economic downturn, they were being paid half of their allowances.

    He added that workers involved in the Directorate Continuing Education programme used to be paid some allowances at the end of the session. But due to scarcity of funds, he said the payments were been delayed, which must have fuelled the accusations against the Rector.

    However a source at the management level said the Institution paid some allowances last week to some workers while the remaining outstanding allowances would soon be paid.

    The source claimed that the whole issue started based of mistrust between the management and the ASUP, adding that moves are being made to settle the impasse.

    As at the time of filing this report, the management was holding a closed door meeting with ASUP leaders to resolve the crisis.

    ASUP Chairman told The Nation that he would reveal what transpired afterwards.

    He said both parties were trying to find a common ground to resolve the issue.

    He however said the Union is insistent on the payment of backlog of all allowances  while members await the report of the committee set up to probe the allegations of financial mismanagement.

     

     

  • ASUP begins three-day fasting

    The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP), Oke-Ogun Polytechnic chapter at the weekend began a three-day fasting and prayer to demand the payment of their outstanding salary arrears from the Oyo state government.

    The Union lamented that lecturers are wallowing in abject poverty due to non-payment of their salaries and allowances running to 10 months.

    The Chairman of the union who spoke to reporters in Saki, Comrade Muyiwa Olawumi said reduction in the school’s subvention has crippled free flow of activities and welfare of members.

  • ASUP decries non-payment of lecturers

    ASUP decries non-payment of lecturers

    The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) yesterday in Owerri, the Imo State capital, said it would shut polytechnics and monotechnics nationwide to protest the unpaid 14-month salary of members.

     It named the affected states as Abia, Edo, Osun, Ekiti, Oyo, and Benue.

    Others are Imo, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Ondo, Kogi, Lagos, Ogun, and Nasarawa.

    The union said the planned action would commence after August 21 when the one-month ultimatum given to the government will expire.

     ASUP’s Coordinator Zone D Comrade Chika Ogonwa, who spoke with reporters shortly after its emergency meeting at the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, said the union suspended its nine-month strike in 2014 “on the strength of the appeal by parents and other stakeholders as well as promises by government to resolve its 13-point demand within three months”.

     But he noted that “two years have elapsed and yet government has not addressed the union’s demands”.

     He added: “Several attempts by the union to engage government officials both under the past and present administrations to address the demands have met with lethargic response from them.

    “The worsening state of the sector has been brought to the attention of the government. The indifference shown by government has compelled the union to issue a one-month ultimatum to the government, effective from July 21, 2016 to address the challenges if we are to stop the decay in the sector”.

    Ogonwa listed some of the union’s grievances as non-implementation of the needs assessment report of 2014; conduct of needs assessment survey for public polytechnics and monotechnics; and review of the Polytechnics Act, as well as interference in union activities by the management of Federal Polytechnic, Oko, and four others.

    “Our officials are being suspended, sacked, and bounded by these campus dictators and this is the prevailing situation in Oko and Mubi, Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku, Adamawa State Polytechnic, and Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua”, he stated.

    The Public Relations Officer of Oko Polytechnic, Mr. Obini Onuchukwu, described the allegation as misleading.

     He said ASUP in Oko was factionalised.

    Onuchukwu, who described the Rector of the Polytechnic, Prof. Godwin Onu,  as ‘a union friendly’, said: “He would not have withheld the check off dues meant for ASUP, if the union was not in dispute.”

  • ASUP kicks over planned privatisation of KenPoly

    The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, (ASUP) Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic chapter, Bori, Rivers State has denied the rumour flying around that the government is planning to privatise the institution following the upgrading of Rivers State School of Art and Science to a polytechnic.

    Reacting to the issue yesterday in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, ASUP chairman, KenPoly chapter, Comrade Ferry Gberegbe said it would be a waste of resources if government should think of abandoning or privatising the old polytechnic.

    He said nobody would privatise the polytechnic, adding that Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic remains a public institution with the best of human resources where huge investment has been made in the past.

    He urged Rivers State government not to contemplate privatising the institution but to improve on its standard.

    Gberegbe said: “Our attention has been drawn to the rumour in some section of the media that the government is planning to privatise the polytechnic. Kenule Beeson Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic remains a public institution. Our graduates have continued to demonstrate superiority in all fields including engineering, science, environment and business studies.”

    While reiterating that there is no need to privatise the institution, he said: “The right thing for government to do is to strengthen the working of the polytechnic. It is wrong to contemplate of abandoning Polytechnics Education considering the massive government investment in staff training and development.”

    Pressed further, he said: “We need the support of the State and National Assembly and other stakeholders to change our educational policy. We cannot do that overnight because we need to consider the possible financial implication. All we are asking is the laws that will allow polytechnic award degrees as obtainable in other developed economies.”

     

  • ASUP, students give Fed Govt seven days to name Offa Poly rector

    ASUP, students give Fed Govt seven days to name Offa Poly rector

    The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) and students of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Kwara State, have given the Federal Government a seven-day ultimatum to announce the institution’s rector.

    The polytechnic has been operating without a substantive rector since the tenure of former rector Dr. Mufutau Olatinwo expired in February.

    Addressing reporters in Offa yesterday, Chairman of Offa poly ASUP, Dr. Sola Ojeniyi, said the delay in the appointment was creating unnecessary tension in the school.

    “The process of appointing a new rector has been lingering in the last six months. ASUP, both at the national level and the school’s chapter, have been wondering over the unnecessary procrastination on the part of all the agencies involved in the appointment.

    “Prior to the placement of an advertisement in a newspaper, the polytechnic’s ASUP met and observed that the school had produced a good number of qualified members who have, over the years, attained a very high level of academic standard in various fields.

    “Based on these, the congress, in line with the position and support of the national body, resolved that the union will not welcome anybody from outside the polytechnic as the rector. By the time the advertisement was published, it satisfied the resolution of the union.

    “It must be stressed here that the union and the polytechnic community is taken aback with the unfathomable foot-dragging in the announcement. The union believes that the situation in the polytechnic is different from what we had in 2007, when the school was enmeshed in serious crisis that precipitated the elongation of the tenure of the then acting-rector for several months.”

    “ASUP and majority of members of the polytechnic give credence to the process of the appointment; the three contenders are our members; the union believes that the noise of war, crisis and controversies on the pages of newspapers are sponsored by external factors to cause confusion and mislead the Federal government and Nigerians.

    “The only condition that can bring crisis is when our members, who have been properly screened and recommended, are robbed of the opportunity of serving the institution.”

    Student Union President Yusuf Olalekan said: “The delay in the appointment of a rector for the institution has been causing anxiety on campus. I want to debunk rumours that the polytechnic is in crisis; as far as the students are concerned, there is no crisis concerning the appointment of a substantive rector.

    “We are giving the Federal Government seven days to announce without delay, the rector among the three recommended candidates. As students, we will support any of the shortlisted candidates for the job. We are ready to work harmoniously with such a person to take our institution to higher heights.

    “We are aligning with ASUP in giving a seven-day ultimatum to announce our rector.”

  • ASUP decries education’s vote

    The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has called on the Federal Government to address what it termed “defective posture” of the 2016 budget for being against the education sector in general and the polytechnic sub-sector in particular.

    In a communiqué at the end of the 83rd National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of ASUP held at Nasarawa State Polytechnic, Lafia, the union decried the delay in passing the bill for the amendment of the Polytechnics Act and the non-implementation of the report of the National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS) Assessment of polytechnics.

    ASUP President, Usman Dutse, in a statement, noted the recurrent delay in payment of staff salaries, especially in state-owned polytechnics and monotechnics.

    The union described as worrisome the delay in promotions and payment of benefits by the management of some polytechnics/mono-technics and the continued dichotomy between polytechnics and university graduates in the country.

    “NEC strongly called on the Federal Government to address the defects in the 2016 budget, especially as it affects the education sector in general and the polytechnic sector in particular, and revert the cut in personnel cost within three weeks of this communiqué in order to avert any industrial disharmony that may follow.

    “NEC passionately called on the National Assembly to, without delay, pass the bill for the amendment of the Polytechnic Act to reflect contemporary realities. NEC frowned at the perennial inhuman delay in the payment of staff salaries in the polytechnic sector and strongly urged the concerned government agencies to take immediate steps to pay all arrears of salary without further delay,” Dutse said.

    ASUP president said the union viewed with contempt the unwholesome meddling of some polytechnic management in the affairs of the union through victimisation of active members in the chapters. He urged the Council of Heads of Polytechnics and College of Technology (COHEADs) to call their members to order to forestall truncating the already fragile academic peace on campuses.

  • ASUP seeks funding for poly

    The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP), Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, Bori Rivers State chapter has called on Governor Nyesom Wike to encourage the institution through special intervention funding to improve the institution’s standard.

    They alleged that the previous administration was not committed to the development of the institution, urging Wike to be different.

    ASUP Chairman, Comrade Ferry Gberegbe, said: “The Governor should encourage our Rector through special intervention funding to turn things around.  Governor Wike has promised the dualisation of Sakpenwa- Bori road. We will like to see his commitment to this lofty project.  The fund owing the institution by the past government should be paid.

    “We thanked the Governor for the regular payment of salaries, but we need the payment of Christmas bonus alias 13th month salary to reward the workers loyalty. ASUP is still asking for the release of the proposed modern secondary school structure at Sakpenwa to the Polytechnic,” he said.

    Gberegbe, also thanked Wike for renaming the institution formerly called Rivers State Polytechnic.  He however said they looked forward to its conversion to a university of Petroleum Studies.