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Workers’ welfare: Ibadan poly staff unions demand Oyo govt’s immediate action

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12 months ago

The staff of the Polytechnic Ibadan, under the aegis of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP), and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), have called on the Oyo State Government to take immediate and decisive action to address critical issues relating to their welfare.

Following a joint congress of the three unions held on the school premises recently, members of the unions posited that the welfare of staff, the sustainability of operational processes, and the overall harmony within the institution are at stake.

In a statement jointly signed by Dr Kola Lawal, FNITP (ASUP Chairman), Mr Abiodun Abegunde (SSANIP Chairman), and Mr Kareem Adegoke (ASUP Chairman), respectively, the unions raised critical issues such as salary augmentation, the implementation of a 25/35 per cent salary increment, the review of the role of the consultant appointed by the Oyo State Government to oversee revenue practices, and the 2023 promotion.

The statement reads in part: “The Congress acknowledged and appreciated the management for the timely disbursement of salaries, as mandated by the State Governor.

“Nevertheless, several persistent issues were highlighted that if not promptly addressed, could disrupt the institution’s industrial harmony.

“The Congress voiced strong opposition to the practice of augmenting salaries from internally generated revenue (IGR).

“It was revealed that approximately eighty-five million naira (N85,000,000.00) is diverted monthly for this purpose, culminating in about one billion naira annually.

“It was resolved that the Oyo State Government must provide full subvention to end salary augmentation, thus restoring the institution’s capacity to meet its critical operational needs.

“The Congress critically reviewed the role of the Platinum Consultant, appointed to oversee revenue practices in higher institutions.

“It was noted that the consultant retains 10 per cent of all internally generated revenue, a practice deemed exploitative and unnecessary.

“Moreover, the consultant’s involvement appears discriminatory, as universities such as LAUTECH and Abiola Ajimobi Technical University, as well as the recently upgraded Emmanuel Alayande College of Education, are exempt from such oversight.

“This inequity has hindered the Polytechnic, Ibadan’s faculties, from conducting annual academic conferences for the past three years.

“The Congress resolved that the institution must be immediately exempted from the Platinum Consultant’s oversight to ensure equitable treatment and operational efficiency.

“The Congress expressed profound disappointment at the lack of action regarding the implementation of the 25/35 per cent salary increment, which has already been effected at LAUTECH since February 2024.

“This disparity is particularly troubling, as federal institutions have also begun this implementation, with arrears paid in January 2024.

“It was resolved that the management must expedite the implementation of the 25/35 per cent salary increment and pay arrears dating back to January 2024 without further delay.

“The Congress also highlighted the delay in issuing 2023 promotion letters to senior staff, citing the absence of an inaugurated governing council as an unacceptable excuse.

“The government’s failure to inaugurate the council is viewed as a deliberate act of bad faith, unfairly penalising the staff.

“It was resolved that the government must either establish the governing council immediately or authorise the Honourable Commissioner for Education to approve the promotions, in line with practices at federal polytechnics.”

The joint congress of ASUP, SSANIP, and NASU at The Polytechnic, Ibadan, therefore, urged the school management and the Oyo State Government to take immediate and decisive action to address the critical issues raised.

The unions also called on all stakeholders to prioritise these concerns and implement the necessary measures to avert potential disruptions to academic activities.

They noted that the plea is to preserve the integrity and functionality of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, for the benefit of its staff, students, and the broader community it serves.

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