ASUP
After two months of industrial action, the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics has called off the nationwide strike.
The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), has suspended its two month old strike.
Mr. Usman Dutse, ASUP, National President said this at a news conference on Tuesday in Abuja.
According to him, “we have decided to suspend our two month old
strike; this decision was taken at the end of our National Executive
Council (NEC) meeting.
“We shall not hesitate to resume the suspended strike should
government fail to review the Memorandum of Action (MoA) and ensure full
implementation before end of May 2019.
“This is in view of the progress made in the course of the union’s negotiations with government.
“The NEC of the union, after exhaustive deliberations and in
due consultations with the respective congresses across the nation
resolved to suspend the current industrial action.
“This is based on the condition that government committed to
review the Memorandum of Action to concretise the resolutions and ensure
its full implementation by end of May 2019, failing which the union
shall resume the action at its discretion.”
Dutse also noted that, the request for a revitalisation fund of N15
billion had been made by the Minister Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu in
lieu of the NEEDS assessment.
He said government has equally made a public pronouncement on the
issue conveying the government’s approval for the release of the sum as
requested.
“It is expected that the funds shall be made available for disbursement to deserving institutions by April 2019.
“Equally, the approval of the NEEDS assessment report shall be
pursued with all diligence to ensure a sustained and effective
intervention in the infrastructure and other needs of our institutions,” he added.
The union president also said on the issue of salary shortfall,
promotion arrears and allowances that N16.7 billion has been released.
According to him, the union was informed of the release of N16.7
billion covering agencies of government, including affected Polytechnics
cleared by the Presidential Initiative for Continuous Audit for
shortfalls and promotion arrears.
“A circular had also been released to all Rectors conveying
increased personnel funding for 2019 and directing the payment of full
salaries and allowances in Polytechnics.
“A schedule from the office of the Federal Ministry of Finance
containing institutions contained in the phase one of the shortfall
refund payments has been released.
“Our union notes that 11 institutions from the sector are
cleared to receive funds from the approved tranche. Our union has been
reassured that the next phase will contain more institutions.
”The government reported moves to review the instruments for
accreditation to include such requirements. The union was informed that
NBTE had been directed to cease further regulatory activities in such
institutions.
“Document conveying the implementation of this resolution has
been released vide letter ref: C/TEB.97/Vol.II/512 of 4th February, 2019
from the NBTE conveying a review of the guidelines for programme
accreditation to include the issue of regular payment of salaries and
allowances in institutions,” he said.
He said that it was equally resolved that the union be included in
the multi stakeholder forum involving proprietors of all public tertiary
institutions to accommodate Polytechnics/Monotechnics.
Dutse added that, it was agreed that the documents currently before
the Head of Civil Service of the Federation be retrieved and reviewed
to address the concerns of the union, and be presented to the board of
the NBTE before the end of March, 2019 for approval.
NAN
No comments:
Post a Comment