The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) has called on stakeholders, including the Federal Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of Education, and the National Assembly, to intervene in the ongoing strike by the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) at Federal Polytechnic, Ekowe.
NASU had on July 11 shut down the institution over withheld June salary and non-remittance of four months’ union dues of its members.
The aggrieved workers locked up the institution’s liaison office in Yenagoa, the main campus at Ekowe and the residence of the Rector in Yenagoa.
The management of the polytechnic on Thursday released the withheld June salary of NASU members but failed to remit outstanding union dues.
NASU vowed that the institution would remain under lock until the check-off dues dispute is resolved.
However, in a statement signed by NAPS Senate President, Comrade Oyewumi Festus Ayomide, the association expressed concern over the continued strike action by NASU, despite a directive from the union’s national body to suspend the action.
The association emphasised the importance of industrial harmony for academic activities and appealed to all parties to prioritise students’ welfare and future.
“We remain hopeful that all concerned will work together in the interest of students and the institution,” the statement read.
NAPS reaffirmed its support for ongoing reforms at the Polytechnic and called on authorities to uphold the integrity of the academic calendar.
While the association urged stakeholders to intervene in ensuring a timely resolution to the strike, it, however, commended the Rector, Dr Agbabiaka Adegoke Lukman, for his “transformative and student-centred leadership”.
NAPS stated that in the last three years, the institution has made significant progress under Dr. Lukman’s administration, including the completion of key projects such as an E-Library, a 250-seat CBT centre, and a renovated clinic.
The students also stated that the institution has invested over N174m in staff development programmes.
NAPS also reiterated its backing for the Polytechnic’s ongoing reforms and urged the relevant authorities to maintain the academic calendar’s integrity.
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