ASUP Faults Federal Government Appointment Of Rectors

The academic staff union of polytechnics (ASUP) has accused the Federal Government of appointing five unqualified persons as rectors in newly established federal polytechnics, in violation of the subsisting act.

The ASUP national president, Anderson Ezeibe, who stated this at the 100th national executive council meeting of the union in Auchi, said that the federal government violated the federal polytechnics amendment act, 2019, in the appointment of the rectors.

He stated that the law allowed for only people within the cadre of chief lecturer, with a minimum of five years’ experience to be appointed.

The ASUP president urged the Edo state government to pay the five months’ salary arrears owed staff of the state polytechnic.

In his speech, the Deputy Governor of Edo Stat, Philips Shaibu said the state government was aware of the lingering labor issues at the state polytechnic and that adequate steps were being taken to address the issues.

The Deputy Governor who was represented by his deputy chief of staff, Jimoh Ijegbai, commended the union for its cooperation and patience with the government in the face of the crisis.

On his part, rector of Auchi polytechnic, Mustapha Zubair, expressed worry over the low ratings of polytechnics in the country, noting that the polytechnic act had well-established criteria which, those in charge of the sector should endeavor to uphold.

The rector urged ASUP to always adopt dialogue in seeking redress, saying dialogue is the best tool in making agitations.