Why Polytechnic Lecturers Suspended Strike After 65 Days

By Ayodele Oni

To allow for further negotiations, the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) suspended its strike which lasted for two months  and counting.

The suspension of the strike action, which entered 65-day old, was contained in a statement signed by ASUP National Publicity Secretary,  Abdullahi Yalwa, and made available to journalists in Bauchi on Wednesday.

According to him, the suspension of the strike would last for a period of three months to allow the Federal Government complete the implementation of the agreements contained in the Memorandum of Action.

He explained that it would also allow for an appraisal of the report indicating the gradual implementation of the items contained in the agreement signed between ASUP and the Federal Government.

Yalwa’s statement entitled: “Suspension of the National Strike of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics” stated further that “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.

“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.

“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.

“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.”