President of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP); Mr. Chibuzor Asomugha, has explained that the recent industrial action embarked upon by academic staff the nation’s polytechnics was due to failure of federal government to fulfill the agreement reached with the union in 2009.
He added that there are also issues which the union has been holding talks with the government on for almost two years, hence the union was left with no option but to down tools.
Speaking on Channels Television breakfast show; Sunrise Daily, Mr. Chibuzor further explained that some of these issues have been lingering before he became the union’s President.
He listed some of the issues include re-negotiation of an agreement the union reached with the federal government in 2009, which provides in itself, that the agreement will be renegotiated in 2012 and signed in 2012.
Dr. Chibuzor explained that as early as February 2012, the issue was brought up to the government and as at now the committee for the renegotiation is yet to be set up.
Other issues are the migration of the lower cadres of the academic staff on a salary scale. According to him, the migration which started in 2009, took care of the upper echelon and left the lower cadre. He appealed to the government to complete the proceedings.
Dr Chibuzor also made the call for the establishment of the National Polytechnic Commission, noting that it’s only the polytechnic sector that doesn’t have its own commission as universities and colleges of education do.
He urged government at all levels to de-neglect polytechnics, saying the nation’s polytechnics have been “terribly neglected” and he enjoined government to come to the table for negotiation.
