By Ikhili Ebalu, Benin City
The National President of Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Mr. Anderson Ezeibe has assured that the indefinite strike action embarked upon by the Union will continue.
The ASUP president stated this during an emergency congress meeting at the Federal Polytechnic Auchi as part of his visit to polytechnics in the country for sensitization and the level of compliance.
Mr. Ezeibe who commended members of the polytechnic union for complying with the directive to embark on the nationwide strike acton by ASUP, said that until all their demands are met by the federal government, the strike will continue.
He, however stated that the strike has yielded some positive responses from the federal government by appointing and inaugurating Governing Councils for polytechnics across the country, setting up of visitation panels, restatement of some dismissed members while offering to pay #15 billion revitilazation of infrastructures in polytechnics and payment of allowances among others are still pending.
The president also expressed concern over the appointment of unqualified Rectors for polytechnics against the polytechnic’s act, adding that to be qualify for rector, such a person must be a Chief lecturer with at least minimum of five years in any of the polytechnics.
Mr. Ezeibe further denied the alleged #20 billion collectively owned by 19 polytechnics staff as tax liability saying that such money have already been deducted through pay as you earn (PAYE) and paid to state internal revenue where they exist and vowed that the union would resist any attempt by relevant authority to deduct such money again from staff.
The president urged members of the union to take their job seriously, according to him, whoever is being elected as Head of Department should take the responsibility of the department without blaming the rector while the rector should as well take the responsibility of the polytechnic without blaming the governing council for wrong decision.
On his part, the chairman of ASUP, Auchi Polytechnic Chapter, Mr. Lawani Jimoh thanked the national president for coming to the polytechnic to reassure its members of the need for corporation.
Mr. Lawani said that Auchi polytechnic is committed to continue with the strike until there is a directives from the national body.