Fawaz Adebisi
Lecturers under the aegis of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, chapter have suspended the proposed industrial action as Gov Dapo Abiodun seeks more days to meet their demands.
This was as the 21 days ultimatum given elapsed on Tuesday and a congress meeting was held.
Press Club MAPOLY recalls that MAPOLY ASUP had threatened the state government with industrial action over the declining quality of education in the polytechnic among other issues if the government failed to consider their demands.
Recall that the union had also held a meeting on June 28, 2022, to air their grievances and made their demands known to Governor Dapo Abiodun.
In the communique addressed to the State governor, Dapo Abiodun, the union expressed its displeasure with the state of education in the institution, stating that the lack of power supply affects the academic of the students.
The Union had noted in the communiqué that the state government has failed to domesticate the Federal Polytechnic Act of 2019 as specified by the National Board for Technical Education, NBTE as a condition for the much-awaited accreditation and a standard of measure in running an efficient Polytechnic.
They noted that Governor Abiodun has also failed to approve a substantive Rector for the polytechnic.
In an interview with Press Club MAPOLY on the outcome of the congress held on Tuesday, ASUP Chairman, Mr. Osifalujo Babatunde said a new date has been given by the state government for review which is August 5, 2022.
Mr. Babatunde however, expressed optimism that before the said date, the state government will yield to their demands.
He said, "We are hopeful they would comply. Thank God they know, it’s in the press, and we believe they would stand by their words because ever since before now, no date was given. So now that they have given date, they should do something".
In the same vein, he highlighted the key demands the government promised to do before the said date.
He said, "They have not discussed the money they owe us but, the key demands are; substantive Rector, Governing council, and to domesticate the federal act. These are the things they have agreed to do within the space of now till August 5".
"We also discussed the issue of the road and the Governor promised he is going to talk to the Commissioner of Works and they agreed they would do something", he stated.
When asked what will be the next line of action should the government fail to meet their demands before the said date, the ASUP Chairman said it would be decided by congress.
