ASUP, FG Clash Over Polytechnic

The Federal Government and Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, are set to clash over suspension of workers at the Federal Polytechnic in Oko and Ekowe respectively.

Already, the National Executive Council, NEC of ASUP has issued a 21-day ultimatum to the Federal Ministry of Education, starting from February 3, to check the activities of the councils of the two institutions or face a showdown.

In a press statement made available to National Mirror in Jos yesterday signed by ASUP’s national publicity secretary, Clement Chirman, the union observed that the reckless interference in its activities by the polytechnics’ councils and managements, and the sordid experiences of its members in the institutions, were lamentable.

The statement also urged the Federal Government to get them to rescind intimidation and arbitrary suspension of staff, as well as abuse of administrative procedures in the institutions.

While decrying the overbearing attitude of the governing council of Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Chirman said, “The council in the institution has unwittingly undertaken certain actions against staff and ASUP of the institution with the sole aim of souring industrial peace and promoting discontent.

“The governing council in the Federal Polytechnic, Oko has entrenched a culture of vicious blackmail, bullying and intimidation of staff of the institution through unnecessary issuance of queries and suspension letters to staff and denial of salaries with the sole aim of protecting the Rector, whose style of administration has been weird and retrogressive and full of surplus misdeeds.”