Communique Issued at the 100th NEC Meeting

15th July, 2021

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE 100TH NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL (NEC) MEETING OF ACADEMIC STAFF UNION OF POLYTECHNICS (ASUP)

PREAMBLE

The 100th National Executive Council meeting of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic was held at Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State from 12th to 16th July, 2021. NEC extensively discussed critical national issues and observed the following:

1. NEC noted with joy the approval of 15 billion Naira as revitalisation fund for Polytechnics and Colleges of Technology by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
2. NEC observed with displeasure the horrendous state of security across the country and the disturbing threats to lives of citizens as amplified by the incessant abduction of staff and students across educational institutions in the country.
3. NEC noted with disappointment the insensitivity of governments at all levels over increase in prices of food-stuff and other essential commodities, and the excruciating pains this has brought to the lives of Nigerians.
4. NEC frowned at the deplorable condition of roads in parts of the country which serves as major source of road accidents and provides a favourable atmosphere for kidnappers in the country.
5. NEC sadly noted the lingering disparity in the implementation of policies between Federal and State-owned Polytechnics/Monotechnics; which adversely affects the uniformity of standards among these institutions.
6. NEC noted with dismay unconcern attitude of government to defray the arrears of the national minimum and federal polytechnics, and non-implementation of the minimum wages as well non-payment of arrears in the most states across the country.
7. NEC observed with happiness the efforts of the President to grant the 774 Local Governments financial autonomy in Nigeria. This will go a long way in boosting genuine development at the grassroots level.
8. NEC appreciates the Senate for the speedy passage of the bill for the removal of dichotomy between HND and B.Sc. While looking forward the concurrence of the House of Representatives.

RESOLUTIONS

Having observed the aforementioned issues as they affect the growth and development of the nation, NEC resolves as follows:

1. NEC appreciates President Muhammad Buhari GCFR for approving 15 billion Naira as revitalisation fund for Polytechnics and Colleges of Technology in Nigeria and also appealed to him to direct the immediate release of the fund to enable the sector enjoy the benefit of addressing critical infrastructural deficits.
2. NEC calls on government at all levels to address the terrible state of security across the country and the disturbing threats to lives of citizens amplified by attacks on staff and students across all strata of education in the country.
3. NEC calls on the government to do the needful to bring down prices of food-stuff and other essential items by putting in place strategies to support local production through revitalization of industries and more robust soft loans for Nigerians interested in farming and other legitimate business.
4. NEC calls on government at all levels to address the deplorable condition of roads in some parts of the country by fixing the bad roads and opening up new roads to network the communities across the country.
5. NEC calls on the government and other stakeholders in Technological education to as a matter of urgency ensure the compliance with the provisions the 2019 amended Polytechnic Act in all institutions for the purposes of uniformity in quality and standards.
6. NEC calls on the Federal Government to settle the 10 months arrears of the national minimum wage in Federal Polytechnics, to avoid further devaluation of the money, and that all State governments yet to implement the minimum wages as well non-payment of arrears should without further delay.
7. NEC calls on the state governments to desist from using any tactics to avert or undermine the financial autonomy of the local government.

Thank you.

Abdullahi Yalwa

National Publicity Secretary.

You can download this communique here