The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics (SSANIP) at Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, voiced their distress over the loss of 50 members due to irregular salary payments. This revelation came to light following a joint meeting at the institution, during which the unions shed light on the dire situation.
During a press briefing after the SSANIP meeting, Nafiu Okoro lamented on the severe impact of irregular salary disbursement, revealing that the institution owed its workers a staggering 10 months’ worth of salaries. He emphatically expressed the unions’ demand for the payment of all outstanding salaries by the government, stressing that the current palliative of N35,000 in Ondo State should also extend to educational institutions. Furthermore, the gravitas of the situation was underscored by the fact that three staff members tragically passed away on the same day, directly attributed to the irregular salary payments and resultant hardships endured by the workers.
The unions also expressed a vote of no confidence in the leadership of Dr. Olubunmi Omoniyi, the Chairman of the Governing Council, alleging financial mismanagement and the squandering of funds meant for staff salaries. Okoro bemoaned the dire straits faced by the staff, juxtaposed against the extravagant spending on allowances by the council. He painted a picture of despair, with workers going home to their families empty-handed during the festive season, devoid of the means to partake in the season’s celebrations.
Unwilling to continue in this path of hardship, Okoro affirmed the unions’ resolve to embark on an indefinite strike from January 1, 2024, should the workers’ salaries remain unpaid. He pleaded for government intervention to alleviate the deplorable conditions faced by the polytechnic’s staff, emphasizing the urgent need for relief amidst the suffering.
With regards to the planned upgrade of the polytechnic to a university, the unions urged the state government to ensure a seamless transition for the workers, underscoring the need for equitable treatment during this transformation.
Similarly, the Chairman of NASU, Gbenga Aro, echoed the sentiments of his SSANIP counterpart, emphasizing the urgency of the situation and the workers’ unwavering stance to proceed with the suspended strike if the backlog of salaries remained unpaid by January 1, 2024. He passionately advocated for the migration of the polytechnic’s staff to be commensurate with university employees, in line with the impending upgrade.
In response, the Polytechnic’s Public Relations Officer, Samuel Ojo, acknowledged the unions’ grievances but urged for dialogue and negotiation. He emphasized the need for constructive engagement between the unions and the polytechnic’s management for the collective good of all stakeholders.
As tensions continue to rise, the fate of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic hangs in the balance, with the looming specter of a total strike threatening to upheave the institution come 2024. The plight of the workers serves as a stark reminder of the human toll exacted by administrative failings, propelling their urgent plea for respite to the forefront.
