SSANIP charges FG to appoint rectors from polytechnics

THE Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics (SSANIP) has charged the Federal Government to appoint rectors from polytechnics and also substantive rectors for the federal polytechnics with acting rectors.

This was contained in a press release signed by its National Public Relations Officer, Banjo Ogunsipe.

It was noted in the release that some federal polytechnics, Kaduna Polytechnic, Federal Polytechnic, Offa, and Ussani Adamu Federal Polytechnic, Kazanre had been running without substantive rectors.

It therefore urged the government to kick-start and urgently conclude the process of appointing substantive rectors for these institutions to enhance the conduct of their affairs.

The association also urged the Federal Government to consider the immediate constitution of governing councils of federal polytechnics, noting that the absence of governing councils had not aided the smooth running of these polytechnics.

SSANIP also expressed fears on the guaranty, safety and security of pension funds, noting that irregular remittance of contributions, long delay in the payment of pension benefits and non-implementation of 18 per cent pension contribution as contained in the Pension Reform Act 2014 as amended were threats to the security of pension funds.

The association therefore warned the Federal Government not to tamper with the funds, in the struggle to overcome the present economic recession.

SSANIP also asked state governments to urgently constitute visitation panels for state-owned polytechnics in order to ascertain their state of affairs and where such visitations have been carried out, the association requested that reports should be made public.