OGWASHI-UKU/Nigeria: Members of the Delta State Chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, Nigeria ASUP has rejected the new policy of education contribution from the staff of polytechnic, saying policy will not promote quality education, but will kill it.
The body stated this in a Press Conference in Ogwashi_Uku, on Thursday August 5, 2022.
The union speaking through its National President, represented Anderson Ezeibe, said the Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa should urgently look into the call of the Union, for the best interest of the government and the good people of Delta State for the sustenance of quality education standards in the State.
The President, ASUP Nigeria, Comrade Anderson U. Ezeibe ably represented by the Zonal Coordinator, South-South & South-East ASUP, Nigeria, Comrade Precious Nwakodo made this remark at the Event Centre Hall of Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku, Aniocha South LGA of Delta at a Press Conference organized by the ASUP Ogwashi-Uku and Otefe-Oghara chapters today Thursday, 4th day of August, 2022 as Union stated that the reversal of this new policy is the right thing to do.
The association stated that in April 2022, Delta State Government introduced a “Salary Subvention Policy” which provides that, “the managements of the Polytechnics contribute not less than ten percent (10%) of the total monthly wage bill of all staff in their employment, while the government takes care of other percentage”.
ASUP Nigeria leadership stated that, the above obnoxious Salary Subvention Policy may sound logical and in line with best practices; but lamented that its applicability is unrealistic as is already having serious adverse consequences on tertiary education in the State, precisely the two polytechnics in Delta State.
It stated that it has become very expedient for the Union to call on Delta State Government to review its initial refusal to revert to the hitherto central payment system; jettisoning its position on the “Salary Subvention Policy” for the State-owned Polytechnics in Ogwashi-Uku and Otefe-Oghara. This is coming after several meetings involving the leadership of the Union’s Local Chapters, Management of the Polytechnics and officials of Delta Government.
To this end, the leadership of the Union recounted the attendant ills of the new obnoxious “Salary Subvention Policy” which includes: Delay in Payment of Salaries, Staff Inadequacy, Imminent Staff Rationalization, Low Staff Morale, Low Quality Education and Increased Cost of Education. The worries that the ugly trend would result to a drastic drop in Students’ enrollment and a drop in the internally generated revenue; which will in turn make it even more difficult to pay the salaries of both the full time and ad-hoc staff that constitute 60% and 40% percent respectively of the total Staff strength of the institutions.
In the words of the leadership of ASUP Nigeria: “We believe in the sagacity of the Workers Friendly Executive Governor, Sen. Dr. Arthur Ifeanyi Okowa. We appealed to Delta State Government to reverse this New Salary Subvention Policy, especially this time of electioneering politics in Nigeria.
As for problem of delay in payment of salaries; staff now receive Salaries two to three weeks into the new month. It is the fear of the Union that the ugly trend if not checked has negative economic implications as Institutions that may not be able to cope with the government charge on them, will start owing staff salaries. The Union bemoans that soon enough the situation will be akin to that of Abia State Polytechnic, Abia, where the government owes workers up to 36 months of salaries.
“We also call on the Delta State Government amongst other demands to see to the domestication of the 2019 Federal Polytechnics Act, payment of promotion arrears, better the Contributory Health Insurance Scheme and the reinstatement of 7% Academic Staff Peculiar Allowance erroneously omitted at the point of computation of the new Minimum Wage in 2019”.
