ASUP STRIKE PARALYSES ACTIVITIES IN POLYTECHNIC
January 9 2002
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Day (Lagos)
The Industrial action embarked on by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has paralysed academic activities in Polytechnics across the country just as the Minister of Education, Prof. Babalola Borishade is scheduled to meet the lecturers to resolve the matter.
ASUP, which began the strike four weeks ago over non implementation of the agreement reached with the Federal Government last year, said it will not call off the strike until government judiciously address its grievances and demands.
For example, the Yaba College of Technology branch of the union over the weekend held an executive meeting resolving to continue the strike until government genuinely addresses its demands, just as its non-academic counterpart, Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP) embarked on an indefinite strike to demand for progress in its negotiation with the Federal Government.
The academic staff union is demanding, apart from a raise in welfare package, release of the white paper on the Adamu Yabani report, and the report of the visitation panels to polytechnics as well as the elevation of some polytechnics to degree awarding institutions.
Speaking to THISDAY at the weekend, ASUP YABATECH branch Publicity Secretary, Mr. Isaac Arekemase said the lecturers are also demanding for a new body that will oversee the activities of polytechnics as the National Board Technical Education (NBTE) is now incompetent to discharge that responsibilty.
"It would not be far-fetched to say that government's inaction is linked to the disdain and contempt the powers that be have for the polytechnic education system and NBTE's ineptitude in handling matters affecting polytechnics," the union said.
In its recent meeting, ASUP explained that NBTE as it affects polytechnic education is moribund and should be relieved of polytechnic education matters. In its place, the association called for a National Polytechnic Commission, arguing that in tertiary education, only polytechnics are denied a commission. The union maintained that only the change guarantee peace in polytechnics.
"We are fed up with government's footdragging when it comes to polytechnic matters and would want to use this medium to appeal to well-meaning Nigerians to persuade government and the legislative arms to desist from treating these matters with levity," ASUP said.
It reminded government that for the country to achieve meaningful technological development, the polytechnic system holds the key "especially now that the state of Nigerian technology is shameful and disgraceful.
Before going on strike over the weekend, SSANIP called on the Federal Government to give necessary approval to enable the Hassan Paki Committee to invite the National Executive Council (NEC) of the union for negotiation.
"The discriminating implementation of government policies in the tertiary education sector does not give room for peace, harmony and stability, which are required for meaningful development. The continued refusal of the minister to grant approval for negotiation with the union is capable of stiffling the polytechnic sector and this should be avoided," the union said.
