Fawaz Adebisi
The Moshood Abiola Polytechnic in Abeokuta (MAPOLY) has plunged into a state of turmoil as workers, including members of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics (SSANIP), and the Non Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), have initiated an indefinite strike.
This step comes in response to the alleged non-payment of salaries for the past three months, a situation that has tragically resulted in the loss of lives among the staff, according to the workers.
The decision to embark on an indefinite industrial action was reached after congresses were held by the various staff unions on Wednesday.
At these meetings, a unanimous vote of no confidence was passed on the competence of the institution’s Rector, Dr. Adeoye Odedeji, and Bursar, Mr. Fatai Yekini, in managing the crisis.
The unions have now urgently called upon Governor Dapo Abiodun to intervene before more lives are lost.
Marching from the venues of their respective congresses, the unions gathered at the Administrative building of the polytechnic.
There, they voiced their concerns about the management’s lackluster approach to the welfare of their members, which has now reached a critical point.
It was gathered that in recent months, the polytechnic has mourned the loss of some of its staff due to unpaid salaries and allowances, leaving them unable to afford necessary medical care.
The most recent tragedy was the passing of Mrs. Kuburat Olonade on September 30, 2023, due to her inability to access medical treatment owing to financial constraints.
Among their various demands, the striking workers are calling for the immediate payment of salaries and allowances dating back to July 2023, the release of the 2019 Appointments and 2020 Promotions for staff members, and the remittance of Pensions, CTCS, and Union’s deductions spanning over 45 months to the appropriate authorities.
The workers are also seeking approval for the Conversion & Upgrading Exercise for eligible staff members while decrying what they describe as the management’s financial recklessness and apathy toward staff welfare, among other grievances.
The unions claim to have made numerous appeals to the management, urging them to prioritize staff welfare.
However, these pleas have seemingly fallen on deaf ears.
In a joint resolution, the unions called upon His Excellency, Prince Dr. Dapo Abiodun MFR, to intervene urgently and address the issues plaguing the Polytechnic.
They maintained their vote of no confidence in the institution’s Rector, Dr. Adeoye Odedeji, and the Bursar, Mr. Fatai Yekini.
“The Congress emphasized that the intervention of the governor would restore normalcy in the Polytechnic, adding that not receiving three (3) months’ salaries in these harsh economic realities is unacceptable and uncalled for,” declared the unions.
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