The governing council of the Federal Polytechnic, Bida, has suspended the activities of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, Bida chapter (ASUP-BD), with immediate effect.
The polytechnic’s registrar, Hussaini Enagi, announced this in a statement on Tuesday, noting that the council took the action “in view of the rising tension and prevailing negative security report.”
“In view of the above, management hereby advises all members of the union to adhere strictly to this directive,” Mr Enagi said.
The polytechnic’s ASUP had earlier directed its members to resume a suspended strike, except that 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,’’ the statement said.
However, the institution’s rector, Baba Haruna, acknowledged the notice of the strike action earlier and warned the union members to respect the rights of those who might have contrary opinions on the strike action.
Similarly, the registrar, Mr Enagi, noted that the council was aware of the declaration of the strike resumption, despite appeals.
He said the council was concerned about the implications of the strike, which would disrupt the commencement of the second-semester examinations scheduled to begin on September 15.
“While the council recognises 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 its 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,” the registrar said.
ASUP president Shammah Kpanja described the development on the campus as disturbing.
“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,” Mr Kpanja stated.
The polytechnic in Niger State was established in 1977 following a decision of the federal government to move the institution to Bida. Before then, it was Federal College of Technology, Kano.
(NAN)
