Monarch reconciles protesting Ekowe FedPoly Staff, Rector

The Ibenanawei of Bomo Clan in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State has restored peace between the protesting staff and rector of the first oil and gas-based Federal Polytechnic in West Africa located in EKowe Community of the state.

The rector of the institution agreed to meet one of their pressing demands, which is to commence the implementation of training of staff on the use of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).

It was learnt that the protesting workers who embarked on a 21-day non-stop protest to press home their demand for the implementation of their statutory increment steps salaries and allowances which had been pending since 2021, resolved to return to work after the reconciliatory meeting at the residence of the monarch in Yenagoa.

It was further gathered that the reconciliation committee meeting which brought an end to the protest which paralysed administrative and academic activities of the institution for over two weeks was headed by former secretary to Bayelsa State Government and Minister for Power, Godknows Igali.

According to the Public Relations Officer of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnic (SSANIP), Mr. Okilo Odubo, who spoke to newsmen shortly after the meeting, the rector of the institution has agreed to meet one of their pressing demands, which is to commence the implementation of training of staff on the use of Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).

Speaking further, Odubo expressed the gratitude of the association towards the monarch and members of the committee for using their wealth of experience over the years to ensure that there is always lasting peace in the institution.

It could be recalled that just weeks ago, the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), of the same institution directed its members to embark on an indefinite strike over non-implementation of promotion arrears, unpaid academic allowances and poor working conditions.

Also, the leadership of SSANIP and NASU shortly after a joint action Congress issued a statement listing the issues bothering its members to include bringing resource persons to train staff of the institution on the application of the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS).

The unions frowned at the fact that after several years of understanding and sacrifices to ensure the training program is achieved, the management has refused to approve funds for the project, a situation which has created irregularities in the payment of their salaries for many years.