By MILLICENT IFEANYICHUKWU

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Zone C (South-West) has expressed concern over unresolved issues negatively affecting polytechnic education and staff welfare.

The union also expressed dissatisfaction at alleged government insincerity in honouring agreements with it.

The Coordinator of the zone, Mr. Masopa Nurudeen, raised the concern at a news conference at the Gate Way (ICT) Polytechnic, Saapade, Ogun, on Wednesday.

He described the situation as unacceptable.

The coordinator highlighted 13 major grievances of the union, including non-payment of lecturers’ allowances, stalled promotions and poor infrastructure funding.

He also listed failure to implement reforms contained in the Federal Ministry of Education’s approved roadmap.

According to him, ASUP members will not want to continue working under such conditions.

“Central to the demands is the unresolved Peculiar Academic Allowance, a product of the 2010 ASUP/FGN agreement. Continuity of the payment cannot be guaranteed without proper documentation from relevant agencies,” he said.

He also expressed dissatisfaction that the Federal Ministry of Education allegedly permitted outsourcing of accreditation personnel.

Nurudeen said that it compromised quality assurance, bred corruption, and imposed unnecessary financial burdens on institutions.

“Another major concern is the failure to pay 12 months arrears of consequential salary adjustment.

“We are not pleased with the situation. Many staff have been unfairly deprived despite existing government pronouncements.

“We equally condemn the delay in releasing the 2023 NEEDS Assessment Intervention Fund. Poor facilities remain a stumbling block for learning and research; yet, funds for redress remain locked.

“Our members also frown at failure to implement the 2019 Federal Polytechnic Act across state-owned polytechnics. This has left staff vulnerable to forced retirement and other administrative injustices in several states,” he said.

On Higher National Diploma/Bachelor’s Degree dichotomy, he noted that President Bola Tinubu had yet to sign a bill passed by the National Assembly to end the dichotomy.

He also raised concerns over non-payment of CONTISS 15 arrears for over a decade, accusing some state governments of delaying payment of promotion arrears for years.

The coordinator also alleged that Oyo State Government failed to appoint substantive principal officers for Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic, Eruwa.

“ASUP insists that four years of acting leadership is detrimental to growth.”

He decried alleged militarization of some campuses with armed operatives to intimidate ASUP members.

“Equally worrisome to ASUP is the stalled renegotiation of the 2010 agreement with the Federal Government.

“The union emphasises that 15 years without review shows government’s disregard for collective bargaining.

“The union criticises the Federal Ministry of Education for abandoning the Rapid Response Committee mechanism.

“We believe that reconvening such meetings could help to avert industrial disputes and create a platform for dialogue.”

The coordinator warned that failure to resolve the issues would compel the union to embark on a nationwide strike. (NAN)

• PHOTO: Masopa Nurudeen, ASUP Zone C Coordinator (standing), at a news conference at Gate Way (ICT) Polytechnic at Saapade, Ogun, on Wednesday