ASUP demands immediate release of N15 billion to polytechnics | EduCeleb
EduCeleb
19th July 2021
The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has pleaded with President Muhammadu Buhari to direct the immediate release of the N15 billion revitalisation fund for polytechnics and colleges of technology in the country.
ASUP at its 100th National Executive Council (NEC) held at Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State, appreciated President Buhari for approving N15 billion as revitalisation fund for polytechnics and Colleges of Technology in Nigeria
The union’s communique, which was signed by the Secretary General, Shammah Kpanja, appealed to the president to direct the release of the fund to enable the sector to enjoy the benefit of addressing critical infrastructural deficits.
The union called on the government and other stakeholders in technological education to as a matter of urgency ensure compliance with the provisions of the 2019 amended Polytechnic Act in all institutions for the purposes of uniformity in quality and standards.
ASUP also called 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.
The NEC urged all state governments yet to implement the minimum wages as well non-payment of arrears should without further delay.
The polytechnics tasked the government at all levels to address the terrible state of security across the country and the disturbing threats to the lives of citizens amplified by attacks on staff and students across all strata of education in the country.
The union advised the government to do the needful to bring down prices of foodstuff and other essential items by putting in place strategies to support local production through the revitalisation of industries and more robust soft loans for Nigerians interested in farming and other legitimate business.
”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,’ it stated.
The NEC further called on the state governments to desist from using any tactics to avert or undermine the financial autonomy of the local government.