ASUP threatens strike, accuses Buhari regime, governors of owing salaries

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari’s regime and some state governors to pay outstanding arrears of the minimum wage to its members as contained in the Memorandum of Action (MoA).

The union also frowned at the delays in releasing the approved N15 billion revitalisation fund, the non-payment of salaries to its members in some state-owned institutions, and the non-commencement of the renegotiation of the 2010 agreement.

This is contained in a statement by Abdullahi Yelwa, ASUP’s spokesman, on Sunday in Bauchi.

The decisions were reached during the 101st Regular ASUP National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held at the Gateway ICT Polytechnic, Saapade, Ogun.

“ASUP equally expressed dismay at recent reports of infractions in the process of appointment of principal officers in federal polytechnics and some state-owned polytechnics in disregard to the provisions in the extant laws,” said the statement. “The union particularly noted the events at the federal polytechnics, Ekowe, Offa and Mubi, where the process of appointment of rectors was flawed, leading to the shortlisting of unqualified persons.”

ASUP also noted that the council affairs in federal polytechnics, Oko, Offa, Auchi, and Kaura Namoda, had been relocated to the FCT without due consideration to the cost implication on the institutions, the safety of staff and sensitive documents as well as general administration of the affected institutions.

The union pointed out that the public should hold the government responsible in the event of breakdown of industrial harmony, adding that the union and its members had shown considerable patience and restraint.

“In view of the unsatisfactory status of implementation of the MoA signed between the union and government in April 2021. The union once again demands that the government should, without further delay, ensure the release of the arrears of the minimum wage to staff and release the approved revitalisation fund for the sector,” ASUP further explained.”

It urged the governments to set up the implementation committee to administer the fund, recommence the renegotiation of the union’s 2010 agreement and withdraw institutional accreditation to state-owned institutions where staff are owed salaries.

“The union equally urged the government to revisit the appointment processes for principal officers in federal polytechnics, Ekowe, Offa and Mubi, to ensure strict compliance with the provisions of the Federal Polytechnics Act,” said ASUP.

Credit: PG