Behind ASUP (Nigerian Polytechnics) Strike
The union’s President, Comrade Chibuzo Asomugha,
statement in Abuja where he disclosed the Migration of the lower cadres
on the CONTISS 15 salary scale
Comrade Chibuzo urged the government to commence the Needs Assessment of Nigerian Polytechnics;
The union president expressed his worry over the bad
state of state owned polytechnics in the country, and the continued
appointment of unqualified person as rectors and provost of
polytechnics, monotechnics and colleges of education by some state
governments. “The refusal of most State governments to implement the
approved salary packages (CONPCASS) for their Polytechnics, Monotechnics
and Colleges of Technologies and the 65 year retirement age is
worrisome.
“The insistence of the Office of the Accountant
General of the Federation to include Federal Polytechnics in the IPPIS
module as against the Union’s protestations, while other arms of the
tertiary education subsector are allowed to maintain the status quo. The
continued recognition of The National Board for Technical Education as
the regulatory body of Nigerian Polytechnics as against the union’s
repeated, calls for the establishment of a National Polytechnics
Commission (NPC),” he said. Continue....>
Asamugha complained about the snail speed pace of the
review of the Federal Polytechnics Act at the National Assembly, the
reluctance of the Office of the Head of Service to approve the Revised
Scheme of Service for Polytechnics and the non commencement of the
re-negotiation of the FGN/ASUP agreement as contained in the signed
agreement.
The union leader also stated that the thrust of these
demands are instructive and conceived in good faith, and are geared
towards the creation of broadened and balanced options that would ensure
proper development of polytechnic education in Nigeria.
He however added that the government has not given
enough attention to addressing these issues even when it is ultimately
clear that Nigeria’s growth prospects will be determined, not by its
natural resources, but by our human resources and quality technological
education which is the springboard for economic growth and shared
prosperity.
“Too much cannot be said about the fact that
knowledge is a fulcrum of growth and development, and countries with
higher technical skill levels are better equipped to face new challenges
and master technological discoveries, and Nigeria cannot be an
exception.
“Over the years the polytechnic sector in Nigeria has
groaned under a myriad of burdens, and these have inevitably hampered
the creation of a viable platform for the sector to grow and develop as
is obtainable in developed and developing global economies.”
He finally added that improving the structures and
systems should be high on government’s developmental agenda stating that
our policy makers must ensure that the workforce acquires the skills to
compete, innovate, and respond to complex social, environmental, and
economical situations”.
Source: Blue Print
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