By Joan Nwagwu
The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), has issued a 15 day ultimatum to the Federal Government to address its various demands in the sector.
Mr Shammah Kpanja, ASUP’s National President said this while addressing newsmen at the end of its 111th session of National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Thursday in Abuja.
Kpanja said that the decision taken by it NEC was imperative as the federal government was yet to implement longstanding issues affecting sector .
“Our union hereby issues a 15 day ultimatum as required by law commencing from 7th Oct. 2024 to proprietors of public polytechnics for these items to be addressed or face different forms of trade dispute declaration including a possible withdrawal of service of members of our Union across the country.
“At the expiration of the 15 days ultimatum, the union’s NEC will reconvene to decide a specific and legitimate course and design of action to address the issues listed.
“Zones and chapters of the Union are to prepare members for necessary action within the 15 days ultimatum through congresses, peaceful protests, and media campaigns on the issues.
“It is our hope that the 15 days period shall be explored by the government to address the issues and save the sector from an imminent shut down,”he said.
He therefore said that the union had reviewed the ongoing discussions with the proprietors of public polytechnics, including both federal and state institutions.
He added that the demands included the
review and reversal of all decisions/ acts of impunity inconsistent with the provisions of the Federal Polytechnics Act and other instruments of governance in the sector.
” The immediate commencement of the review process of the suspended document titled schemes of service for polytechnics 2023 as agreed in the tripartite meeting of July 2024.
“Release of the second tranche of the NEEDS Assessment intervention for public polytechnics and Colleges of Technology.
“Cessation of all acts purporting to undermine, duplicate or surrender the responsibilities of Academic Boards of Polytechnics in students’ admission processes to the NBTE as demonstrated by the recent launch of a students’ admission portal by the NBTE.
“Inclusion of the negotiated peculiar academic allowance in the budget against post IPPIS payment scheme/template for members.
“Immediate implementation of the approved 25/35% salary review across all public polytechnics and the payment of the accrued arrears,”he said.
Kpanja also called for the release and final resolution of the age long CONTISS 15 migration arrears for the lower cadre. Recommencement and completion of the ASUP/FGN 2010 agreement renegotiation process.
He said that it was also important for the government to immediate release the reviewed conditions of service.
“Immediate implementation of promotion in state owned institutions and also release of outstanding promotion arrears in federal institutions and colleges of technology.
“Following the above listed demands and pursuant to our resolve to continue to advocate for a functional polytechnic education system in the country, ”he said.