ARMSTRONG ALLAHMAGANI, Bauchi –
The nationwide strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has been suspended, NATIONAL ACCORD reports.
The suspension of the 65-day old industrial action was contained in a media statement signed by ASUP’s National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Abdullahi Yalwa, and made available to journalists in Bauchi on Wednesday.
He, however, said that the suspension of the strike would be for a period of three months to allow the federal government complete the implementation of the agreements contained in the Memorandum of Action.
The suspension followed an appraisal of the report indicating the gradual implementation of the items contained in the MOA signed between ASUP and the Federal Government, Yalwa said in a statement entitled: “Suspension of the National Strike of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics”.
“The Union has resolved to suspend its 65 days old industrial action with effect from 10th June, 2021”.
“The suspension is for a period of three months to enable the government complete the execution of the items contained in the Memorandum of Action signed with the Union since 27th April, 2021”.
“As part of the efforts communicated by the Federal Ministry of Education, certain items have been fulfilled like the reconstitution and inauguration of governing councils and visitation panels in Nigerian Federal Polytechnics while we are led to believe that the release of funds for infrastructure revitalization and minimum wage arrears is currently being processed,” he said.
According to him, other items are the ongoing efforts at the review of the Scheme of Service and Conditions of Service for Polytechnics as well as the commencement of work towards resolution of the issues around CONTISS 15 migration arrears for the lower cadre.
He said that the Union also acknowledged the recent passage of the Bill for removal of the dichotomy against Higher National Diploma holders in the country.
He added that in reaching the decision to suspend the strike, the Union took into cognizance the appeals made by the government, revered traditional stools in the country, members of the National Assembly, Chairmen of Governing Councils of Federal Polytechnics and members of the public who showed varied interests in the matter.
Yalwa said: “It is the expectation of our Union that the suspension of this action will provide an enabling environment for the government to fulfill other aspects of the memorandum of action and afford the government an opportunity to reverse its trust deficit within our sector.
“We equally appreciate the different layers of intervention by critical stakeholder groups in the sector within the period.”