The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has called on the federal government to ensure immediate disbursement of the N35,000 wage award, initially approved for public sector workers or risk crippling industrial action.
ASUP which is the umbrella body of polytechnic lecturers across the country condemned the disposition of government for not fulfilling its promise, to cushion the effects of hardship on the lecturers. The wage award was initiated by the government in response to the removal of subsidy, aiming to ease the financial burden on public servants.
ASUP President, Shammah Kpanja, expressed the growing discontent among polytechnic lecturers, citing severe economic hardship as the primary catalyst for their agitation.
Kpanja lamented the government’s failure to fulfill its commitment, revealing that the promised N35,000 has been paid only once, contrary to the agreed six-month duration.
Kpanja further criticized the government’s silence on the matter, stating that the harsh economic situation has left members struggling to afford transportation to their workplaces.
Attributing the economic challenges to the government’s policies, particularly the removal of subsidy on Petroleum Motor Spirit (PMS), Kpanja underscored the impact on the cost of living for polytechnic lecturers.
He recounted the government’s agreement, following pressure from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and other stakeholders, to provide the N35,000 as a palliative wage award for workers.
The agreement stipulated a six-month period, effective from September 2023.
Despite this agreement, Kpanja revealed that, as of January 2024, the government has only honored the commitment for a single month.
Expressing frustration, he highlighted the mounting difficulties faced by members, who find themselves unable to meet basic transportation expenses.
Furthermore, Kpanja criticized the government’s inaction on the proposed 35% and 25% salary increase for tertiary institutions workers.
The last salary adjustment for polytechnic academic staff occurred in 2010, and since then, inflation has eroded the approved figures, exacerbating the financial strain on lecturers.
Calling for urgent government intervention, Kpanja appealed to authorities to address the longstanding issues, cautioning that tensions within the sector are reaching a critical point.
He emphasized that ASUP has granted the government ample time to rectify the situation and, failing positive results, will convene a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting to determine the next course of action.
The union leader implored the government to act promptly, averting a potential strike that could further disrupt academic activities in polytechnics across the nation.
