ASUP urges Abia State government to pay outstanding salaries of polythenic lecturers

The Abia State Government has been urged by the National President of Academic Staff Union of Polythenics, Usman Yusuf, to take an action towards clearing the nine months’ salary arrears of lecturers of Abia State Polytechnic, Aba.

Speaking during the opening ceremony of the 89th national executive council meeting of ASUP held at the Abia State Polytechnics, Dutse said the union selected the state for the NEC meeting to address some challenges facing its members in the polytechnic.

He added that the NEC would also brainstorm, review and take decisions on the way forward on the welfare of its members nationwide.

 

He pointed out that the union had indentified problems that are common to state-owned higher institutions.

He said, “We are here to help our members in this institution who are being owed about nine months’ salaries. We have made our position clear to the state government and urged them to consider their position and clear the salaries. We believe that the Federal Government released the bailout funds to states and we encourage them to pay salaries.

 

“I wonder why the government will expect good performance from workers if they are not paying salaries. We also have cases of some of our members who have not been promoted since 2014; they should be promoted because it is their right provided by the law.

“The government should appreciate the patience and commitment of our members and promote them, because if the trend continues, it will also affect their performance and self-esteem.”

The Abia State Chairman of ASUP, Mr. Precious Nwakodo, said workers had remained patient despite the unpaid salaries.

He said, “One of the greatest challenges we had was with the management of the institution. But today, we have a management that has improved in the way it relates with the union members.

“Today, we know what comes in and what goes out from the school. So, we can’t fight the management when we know that they are sincere. Besides, the polytechnic survives on internally generated revenue and subventions. If we shut this place completely, we won’t get the IGR. That is why we have been patient because we want the school to move forward. We are hoping that the situation would change for the better soon.”

Source: ( Punch Newspaper )