The union also expressed displeasure with the delays in the delivery of the authorized N15 billion Revitalisation Fund, as well as the non-payment of salary to its members in some state-owned institutions and the failure to begin renegotiation of the 2010 agreement.

Mr. Abdullahi Yelwa, ASUP’s National Publicity Secretary, said this in a statement issued in Bauchi on Sunday.

The decisions were made during the 101st Regular ASUP National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, which took place at the Gateway ICT Polytechnic in Saapade, Ogun State, according to Yelwa.

“ASUP also expressed dismay at recent reports of violations in the process of appointment of Principal Officers in Federal Polytechnics and several state-owned polytechnics in violation of existing regulations,” the statement said in part.

“The union drew attention to happenings at the Federal Polytechnics in Ekowe, Offa, and Mubi, where the procedure for appointing Rectors was defective, resulting in the shortlisting of unqualified candidates.”

“The union notes that the council affairs in Federal Polytechnics, Oko, Offa, Auchi, and Kaura Namoda has been relocated to the FCT without due consideration to the cost implication on the institutions, the safety of staff and sensitive documents as well as general administration of the affected institutions.”

Yelwa, however, said that members of the public should hold the government responsible in the event of breakdown of industrial harmony, adding that the union and its members had shown considerable patience and restraint.

“Given the unsatisfactory status of implementation of the MoA signed between the union and government in April 2021.

“The union once again demands that the government should without further delay ensure the release of the arrears of the Minimum Wage to staff and release the approved Revitalisation Fund for the sector.

“Government should set up the implementation committee to administer the fund, recommence the renegotiation of the union’s 2010 agreement and withdraw institutional accreditation to state-owned institutions where staff is owed salaries.

“The union equally urged the government to revisit the appointment processes for principal officers in Federal Polytechnics, Ekowe, Offa and Mubi, to ensure strict compliance with the provisions of the Federal Polytechnics Act,” it said

The union will deepen its consultations on the next action, according to Yelwa, because there will be no more warnings if the government fails to meet its demands.