Over 300 staff members at the Federal Polytechnic Oko, Anambra State, who have been employed for two years but are yet to be payrolled, have cried out, begging the Federal Government to intervene in their plight.

A press release by the traumatised staff, who fear that their plight may worsen if they reveal their identities, made available to journalists in Awka on Thursday, said they have been employed since 2023, but despite receiving their appointment letters, they are yet to begin receiving salaries.

The release read: “Despite receiving appointment letters and being posted to various duty posts, we have not received salaries for over two years.

“The affected staff members comprise individuals from almost all tribes in Nigeria. The frustration and desperation we are going through in these harsh economic conditions is immense.

“We are appealing to the Federal Government, the Ministry of Education, and the National Assembly to intervene in our situation because the management of the polytechnic has been selective in payrolling and confirming some employees while ignoring others with the same appointment letters.”

The staff members questioned the criteria used for payroll and confirmation of some of their members, suspecting that favouritism and discrimination may have crept into the matter.

The affected staff members listed their grievances to include: employing staff without payment for over two years and selective confirmation. They also questioned the authenticity of their appointment letters, wondering why the management would recruit new staff while ignoring existing employees.

Furthermore, they alleged discriminatory treatment and questioned the management’s motives, believing that the situation is unfair and detrimental to their well-being and the overall functioning of the polytechnic.

The Public Relations Officer of the institution, Mr Chijioke Ibeziako, who spoke on behalf of the management, denied that the management was engaging in selective confirmation.

He said: “For the avoidance of doubt, this matter stems from an irregular recruitment exercise conducted in 2023 under the past administration of the Polytechnic led by Engr Dr Francisca Nwafulugo.

“The Federal Government, through its relevant agencies, approved the recruitment of 136 staff only. Unfortunately, that administration went beyond the approved figure and unduly recruited more persons than were authorised.

“In strict compliance with extant rules, only those within the approved quota were duly captured on the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) and were payrolled by the Federal Government during the tenure of the said administration.

“Those recruited outside the approved quota could not be captured on IPPIS, as there was no corresponding authorisation or budgetary provision for them.”

The management said the allegations of selective confirmation are false, misleading, and completely unfounded.

It said: “Salaries in Federal Polytechnics in 2023 were processed strictly through IPPIS, a government-regulated platform beyond the control of individual institutions.

“While Management empathises with those affected by the irregularities of the past recruitment exercise, it is important to state that the current leadership is firmly committed to doing things right.

“Our guiding principles remain transparency, fairness, accountability, and adherence to due process. We reassure stakeholders and the general public that Federal Polytechnic, Oko under its present Management will continue to safeguard the integrity of the institution and engage relevant authorities towards sustainable solutions within the framework of the law,” the PRO stated. (Daily Sun)

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