Relief as Poly Lecturers Suspend Strike

Relief as Poly Lecturers Suspend Strike

Onyebuchi Ezigbo

Members of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) have suspended their nationwide strike, which crippled academic activities in the institutions since April 27 this year.

A statement issued yesterday by ASUP’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Abdullahi Yalwa said the suspension of the industrial action with effect from June 10 came after an appraisal of the gradual implementation of the items contained in the Memorandum of Action (MoA) signed between the union and the federal government.

The statement noted that following an appraisal of the report indicating the gradual implementation of the items contained in the MoA, the union has resolved to suspend its 65-day-old industrial action with effect from June 10, 2021.

The statement, however, added that the suspension is for a period of three months to enable the government complete the execution of the items contained in the MoA signed with the union since April 27, 2021

The union said that it considered the efforts being made by the Federal Ministry of Education to fulfill some aspects of the MoA. It cited some of the efforts to include the reconstitution and inauguration of governing councils and visitation panels in Nigerian federal polytechnics, the release of funds for infrastructure revitalisation and processing of the minimum wage arrears for payment.

Other achievements recorded according to the statement, include the ongoing efforts at the review of the Scheme of Service and Conditions of Service for Polytechnics as well as the commencement of work towards resolution of the issues around CONTISS 15 migration arrears for the lower cadre.

“We also acknowledge the recent passage of the Bill for removal of the dichotomy against HND holders in the country. In reaching the decision to suspend the strike, our union took into cognisance the appeals made by the government, revered traditional stools in the country, members of the National Assembly, Chairmen of Governing Councils of Federal Polytechnics and indeed members of the public who showed varied interests in the matter.

“It is the expectation of our union that the suspension of this action will provide an enabling environment for the government to fulfill other aspects of the memorandum of action and afford the government an opportunity to reverse its trust deficit within our sector,” the statement explained.

Related Articles