The national President of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, (ASUP), Mr. Anderson Ezeibe on Wednesday bemoaned the appointment of unqualified rectors for six Polytechnics in Nigeria saying that such move by the Federal Government is against the 2019 Polytechnic Act.
He made the observation at the centenary National Executive Council meeting held at the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi.
According to him to qualify for appointment as rector of a Polytechnic in Nigeria, the person must be a Chief Lecturer as well as having up to five years experience.
The federal government had in April announced the appointment of Rectors and other principal officers for six new Federal Polytechnics located in Enugu, Oyo, Cross River, Plateau, Borno, and Benue states.
They are: Ohodo (Enugu), Ugep (Cross River), Shendam (Plateau), Monguno (Borno) and Wannune (Benue).
“For a person to be qualified for appointment as rector of a Polytechnic, such individual shall be a Chief Lecturer of not less than five years experience.”
What this means is that those people appointed by the Federal government fall short of the academic qualification and experience required for the job.
He said the Union has approached the court on the issue.
The Edo State Deputy Government, Mr. Philips Shaibu who was represented by his Chaif of Staff said that the government is aware of the lingering Labour issues at the Edo Polytechnic, Usen and adequate steps are being taken to address it.
While assuring the Union of government intensified solutions, he noted that the current administration under the leadership of Mr. Godwin Obaseki inherited a number of liabilities but the government is doing its best to improve the welfare of the staff.
He said: “We are aware of the lingering labour issues at the Usen Polytechnic. Government is a continuous thing. Edo State government does not joke with the welfare of workers. It is on record that every 25th, all Edo workers are being paid. We pay our pension as at when due in Edo.
“That issue still lingering at Edo State Polytechnic, Usen will soon be a thing of the past.” He stressed.
While declaring the meeting open, he thanked the Union for their cooperation and patience with government in finding lasting solutions to challenges in Polytechnic education in Nigeria.
Also speaking, the rector of the Auchi Polytechnic, Engr. Mustapha Zubair lamented the poor rating of Polytechnics in Nigeria. He said that by the Polytechnic act, they were created for specific objectives which the managers in the sector strive to accomplish.
He urged the Union to choose dialogue always in pursuing their agitation. Adding that the just concluded strike by the Union yielded positive result has the Federal government has released #15billion for the development of Polytechnic in Nigeria.
He charged the Union to be strong and avoid act of dissident so as to achieve more goals.
He said a committee has been set up to look into the issue of Staff who were sacked for participating in the strike action.
In his remarks, the Auchi Polytechnic ASUP Chairman. Comrade Lawani Jimoh said that, the Union has already taken up the issue of Staff who were sacked for their involvement in strike action.
He, however, drew the attention of the government to five months salary arrears being owned the workers of Edo Polytechnic, Usen, Edo State.
He called on the Edo State governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki to do the needful.
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