The Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics (SSANIP) in a press release, has threatened to embark on strike action in six states, namely; Abia, Benue, Imo, Kogi, Osun and Oyo, over salary arrears and retirement issues. The association claimed these states have had their excuse to be the prevalent economic meltdown that bedevilled the nation.
“On non-payment of staff salaries and other allowances in some states, the senior polytechnic administrators said they would be forced to take drastic actions against state governments of Benue, Kogi, Imo, Osun, Abia and Oyo States for hiding under economic recession to deprive workers of their rights.
“For not implementing promotions and payment of arrears in some polytechnics and similar institutions, SSANIP expressed resentment for the development hinting that polytechnic workers are being owed different kinds of arrears since 2013 by the Federal and some state governments and called for immediate payment of the arrears.
However, SSANIP commended the National Assembly for taking steps towards setting HND and B.Sc holders at the same pace.
“The Polytechnic workers also praised the National Assembly for setting up machinery in form of a bill to put an end to the dichotomy between B. Sc and HND holders in Public and Private Establishments in Nigeria and prayed that the lawmaking body in Nigeria should speed up the process of the bill passage.
The association decried the long delay in the implementation of the 65 years retirement age in some state polytechnics.
“The non-implementation of Pension Act 2014 as amended; SSANIP said is a matter of serious concern to it in view of its sensitivity to workers’ life. The Association urged the federal government to implement the provision of the 2014 pension act and look seriously into the delayed payment of retirement benefits of members who had served the polytechnic sector and Nigeria meritoriously lamenting that the hardship being faced by these retirees and their immediate families are enormous.”
SSANIP demanded proper funding as well as the release of entitlements for polytechnics and similar institutions.
“Recalling that the CONTISS 15 Migration was effective from 2009, SSANIP appealed to the Federal Government to make funds available for immediate payment of arrears due to CONTISS 15 Migrants in Nigerian Polytechnics.
