TheCable

The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) has vowed to continue its indefinite strike until the federal government meets its demands.

Anderson Ezeibe, ASUP president, made the union’s position known on Friday at an emergency congress held at the Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo state.

On April 6, the union embarked on an indefinite strike over the non-implementation of its demands by the federal government.

It said the strike became imperative after the expiration of an ultimatum it gave the federal government last year to revamp the poor state of polytechnics and monotechnics in the country.

According to NAN, Ezeibe commended members of the union for adhering to the strike and said it would continue until their demands are met.

“Our members should continue to believe in the union the way they have been doing, we have very supportive members as you can see; the strike is in full swing,” he said.

“Every polytechnic is observing the strike and compliance level is very high, we will continue to persevere, victory is around the corner.”

He, however, said the industrial action had begun to yield positive results.

“It is true that the government has started doing something,” he said.

“The one that has been done is the issue of governing councils that have been reconstituted and the visitation panels that have been set up.

“Offers have been made for the payment of arrears of minimum wage and the N15 billion infrastructure revitalisation fund; they are still at the level of offer because the funds have not been released.

“We want to see the funds released for the sector and we want to see some other items that require processes to be put in motion.

“If we are able to get to that point, I am sure our national executive committee will take a second look at the strike.”

Ezeibe denied that N20 billion was collectively owed by staff members of 19 polytechnics.

“The Office of the Accountant General alleged that we have tax liabilities to pay; that is to say that staff of the 19 polytechnics are owing collectively about N20 billion,” he said.

“You know this money – pay as you earn tax – it is deducted from staff and  paid to state boards of internal revenue where they exist.

“We are not owing this money and therefore are going to resist any attempt to deduct any money from our salaries to go and satisfy such a bill.”