Polytechnic lecturers begin indefinite strike

THE Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics has commenced an indefinite strike with effect from today.

While explaining why the strike became necessary, the union  president, Anderson Ezeibe cited the failure of the government to address the sorry state of polytechnics and monotechnics.

Ezeibe said the strike became their last resort after  the expiration of the ultimatum issued since March 2020.

He made this known  at a press briefing in Abuja today.

The ASUP president  said academic activities had been shut shown in all polytechnics and like institutions nationwide with effect from 12am, April 6.

According to him, the union’s demands were communicated to the ministries of education, labour and others as well as to state governors but nothing was done about them.

Ezeibe listed the lecturers’ grievances to include non-implementation of 2014 NEEDS Report and non-release of revitalization fund to the sector despite assurances since 2017.

He said, “Our grievances also include the non-reconstitution of governing councils in federal polytechnics and many state-owned institutions leading to the disruption of governance and administrative processes in the institutions since May, 2020.

“This has also undermined the renegotiation of the union’s 2010 agreement with the government which was unilaterally suspended by the government for over two years now.”

The action is coming less than a week after resident doctors embarked on a nationwide strike over non-payment of allowances and other issues.

NARD, the “umberella body”, of the resident doctors has insisted that the strike will be total and indefinite.