The Governing Council of the Federal Polytechnic, Bida, Niger State, has announced the suspension of all activities of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Bida Chapter, with immediate effect.
The Registrar of the polytechnic, Mr. Hussaini Enagi, said in a statement on Tuesday that the council’s decision was prompted by growing tension and an unfavourable security situation.
The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics of the Federal Polytechnic, Bida, had earlier directed its members to resume a suspended strike, except the school paid six months out of the alleged 18-month Excess Workload Allowances it owed.
“In line with the directive of the congress, and in view of management’s continued reluctance to pay six months of the 18 months owed Excess Workload Allowances, all members are hereby directed to immediately resume the suspended strike action.”
“This action is a collective mandate of the Congress, and as such, full compliance is expected from all members.
“We urge you to remain steadfast and undeterred. Our struggle is legitimate, anchored on justice, and protected under the relevant labour laws,’’ the statement said.
But the Rector, the Federal Polytechnic, Bida, Dr Baba Haruna, while acknowledging the notice of the strike action earlier, warned the union members to respect the rights of the members who might have contrary opinions on the strike action.
Council cites student examinations, campus stability
The Registrar of the polytechnic, Mr. Hussaini Enagi, explained that the Governing Council had taken note of ASUP-Bida’s decision to resume its suspended strike, despite repeated appeals for patience while a council committee finalized its report on the matter.
He said that this also happened “in spite of a series of appeals made by the council to the union to allow a council committee on the subject matter to submit its report on the way forward.
“Consequent upon the above, the council views with serious concern the implications of the strike on students who were already scheduled to commence Second Semester Examinations on Sept. 15 and wishes to advise as follows:
“That while the council recognise the rights of the union to declare and embark on strike action, the union should also recognise the rights of some members who may not want to join the strike but remain in their duty post and carry out their legitimate official duties without hindrance and any form of intimidation.
“That the council is still appealing to the union to reconsider its decisions in the greater interest of the system and suspend her strike to allow the council to address the issues at stake holistically.
“That the union should ensure observation of law and order by all its members irrespective of their stand regarding the strike action.’’
Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics President Shammah Kpanja described the development on the campus of the Federal Polytechnic, Bida, as disturbing.
“We have received reports of disturbing developments in industrial relations as well as academic activities in the Federal Polytechnic, Bida.
“We note with displeasure the purported suspension of union activities by the Governing Council, as well as the embarrassing pictures and videos of soldiers supervising an activity purporting to mean an examination in the polytechnic.”
“The National leadership of the union is in solidarity with the chapter and shall be taking up these excesses of the Governing Council and Management of the Polytechnic with the appropriate quarters,’’ he said in a statement in Abuja.
The Punch reported that the polytechnic was founded in 1977 after the Federal Government decided to relocate the Federal College of Technology from Kano to Bida. Its first academic session began in April 1978 with 211 students, 11 senior staff members, and 33 junior staff. Today, it stands as a federal tertiary institution located in Bida, Niger State.
