Fresh Strike Looms In MAPOLY,...ASUP Gives Ogun Govt 21-Day Ultimatum To Constitute Governing Council, Settle 55 Months Unpaid Deductions

Fresh strike is looming at the Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, (MAPOLY) Abeokuta, following a 21-day ultimatum issued by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP) to the Ogun State Government to constitute Governing Council for the institution, appoint a substantive Rector and address 55months unpaid deductions from salaries of workers amongst other demands

Already workers in the State Civil Service are on strike over the remitted  21 months deductions from their salaries, unpaid eight years of leave allowances amongst other demands

Chairman of ASUP, Comrade Babatunde Osifalujo in a communique issued at the end of the union's congress held this week made available to Edu-biznews, expressed concern that non- constitution of the council for the institution is  affecting the running of the polytechnic, including incessant delay in the payment of salaries to workers 

"Appointment of substantive Rector and convocation of a progressive Governing Council which we have been denied and negatively impacting on the smooth running of the Polytechnic since 2018. Again, this will redress the incessant delay in salary approval and payment", the union stated 

ASUP in its letter to Governor Dapo Abiodun Governor Dapo Abiodun and management of the institution is also demanding for remittance of 55months deductions from salaries of workers to their respective Pension Fund Administrators as well as implementation of minimum wage already being enjoyed by their counter part in the State Civil Service

"Remittance of 55 months accumulated pension deductions from staff salaries accompanied with its counterpart funding by the Polytechnic to the respective Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) for each members of staff"

"Implementation and payment of minimum wages for workers in the Polytechnic in accordance with the NBTE template, including arrears, as already being enjoyed by our counterparts in the Ogun State civil service effective from October 2021,"ASUP said

The union is equally demanding for better learning environment for students to carry out practical in laboratories, studios and workshops as well as improvement in funding from the State Government 

The other  demands of ASUP reads in part as contained in the communique 

"The improvement of electricity supply in the Polytechnic as the non-availability of power supply has become inimical to lecture deliveries and is depriving students from having hands on practical in various laboratories, studios and workshops."

"The Ogun State Government should urgently domesticate and implement the Federal Polytechnic (Amendment) Act, 2019 in Moshood Abiola Polytechnic as specified by NBTE as a condition for the much-awaited accreditation and as a standard of measure in running an of efficient Polytechnic in Nigeria ".

"The practice of 100% reliance on internally generated revenue (IGR) as the only source of monthly wages/salaries payments in the Polytechnic should be truncated herewith as the Union calls on the government of Ogun State to rise up to its responsibilities as the owner and employer of labour in the Polytechnic" 

Moshood Abiola Polytechnic is an Ogun State Government owned institution and should not be run like a private entity, as such the practice of the government advancing financial aid to the Polytechnic for salary payment in time of need/IGR insufficiency and later claim it as a loan even with interest charges to the institution or in lieu of MAPOLY statutory allocations for several months had further impoverish the Polytechnic and it is not acceptable to us"  

"Implementation of all back-log of appointments and promotions of staff; including the conclusion of appointments for 2018 and the commencement of promotions for 2020."

"Payment of over 27 months outstanding check-off dues deductions to the union."