The National President of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic(ASUP), Mr. Anderson Ezeibe, on Wednesday bemoaned the appointment of unqualified Rectors for six Polytechnics in Nigeria.
Ezeibe made the observation at the 100th National Executive Council(NEC) meeting of ASUP held at the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State, saying that such move by the Federal Government is against the 2019 Polytechnic act.
According the ASUP President, to be qualified for appointment as Rector of a Polytchnic in Nigeria, the person must have been a Chief Lecturer as well and must have up to five years experience in that capacity.
He said from their profile these appointed people fell short of the requirement for the position.
He said: “The qualification of a person to be appointed as Rector of a Polytechnic in Nigeria, such individual shall be a Chief Lecturer of not less than five years of experience.
“What this means is that those people appointed by the Federal government have fallen short of the academic qualification and experience required for the job.”
He said the Union has approached the court on the matter with a view to correcting the errors already made.
On the welfare issues affecting Edo State Polytechnic, Usen, raised by the ASUP President, the Edo State Deputy Governor, Rt Hon Comrade Philip Shaibu, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Hon Jimoh Ijegbai as Special Guest, said that the government is aware of the lingering labour issues at the Edo Polytechnic, Usen and assured that adequate steps are being taken to address it.
While assuring the Union of government determination to proffer solutions, the Deputy Governor noted that the current administration of Mr. Godwin Obaseki inherited a number of liabilities but that the government is doing its best for the welfare of the staff, saying that the issues will soon be a thing of the past.
“We are aware of the lingering issues at the Usen Polytechnic. Government is a continuum . Edo State Government does not joke with the welfare of workers. It is on record that every 25th, all Edo workers get their salaries. We pay our pension as at when due in Edo.
“That issue still lingering at Edo State Polytechnic, Usen will soon be a thing of the past,” he stressed.
He thanked the Union for their cooperation and patience with government in finding lasting solutions to challenges in Polytechnic education in Nigeria.
Also speaking, the Rector of the Auchi Polytechnic, Engr. Mustapha Zubair lamented the poor rating of Polytechnic in Nigeria. He urged the Union to always choose dialogue in pursuing their agitations, adding that the just concluded strike by the Union yielded positive results as the Federal Government has released N15billion for the development of Polytechnics in Nigeria.
He also charged the Union to remain strong and United so as to achieve more goals. He said a committee has been set up to look into the issues of Staff who were sacked following their participation in the strike action.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the host, Auchi Polytechnic, ASUP Chairman, Comrade Lawani Jimoh said that the Union has already taken up the issue of Staff who were sacked.
