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The leadership of zone D of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) is not happy that critical issues affecting the Polytechnic Education sector in Nigeria have remained unmet in spite of the frantic efforts the union has been making since it suspended its two- weeks national strike on 2nd December, 2024.
The zonal coordinator of ASUP, Dr. Iloma U. Richard, who revealed the bitterness of the union, said that the zone, which comprises of all the states in South South and South East Nigeria, strongly endorse whatever position its National Executive Council will come out with at the end of its 21-day ultimatum, effective August, 18th, 2025.
Some of the grouse embittering the zone, as rilled out by the coordinator, include: delay in approving a dual mandate structure for Polytechnics; refusal to set up a dedicated commission for the sector in line with the approved road map of the Federal Ministry of Education, military invasion of ASUP Secretariat and unlawful interference in the activities of ASUP in Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, non- release of arrears of 25%/35% salary review, non-implementation of the 25%/ 35% salary review and minimum wage in many state-owned institutions, and non- release of circular by the National Salaries, Incomes , and wages Commission (NSIWC) to to cover peculiar academic allowance, and the report of illegal occupants of the temporary campus of Rivers State College of Health Science and Management Technology who steal items of staff and students/ even as they engage in the selling of illicit drugs on the campus,
among other grievances listed out.
Dr. Richard then warned that the leadership of the union would not hesitate to swiftly mobilise members from all the chapters in the zone for an industrial action at the end of the 21-day ultimatum if the NEC so directs.
Earlier, in his speech, the chapter President of ASUP, Arc. Ipalibo West, eho welcomed everyone to the all important meeting, however, queried why some members of staff of the institution are yet to receive their August, 2025 salaries, urging every member present at the event to keenly listen yo the zonal and National officers of the union who have come to senditise members of the chapter.
Idanye Oruigoni
Information Officer,
Rivers State Ministry of Information and Communications.
