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Review Subvention to Polytechnics, Increase Salary – COGSSANIP Appeals To Ogun Govt

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The Conference of Ogun State Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics (COGSSANIP) has appealed to the state government to review the inadequate subventions given to polytechnics in the state.

The Conference urged the government adhere to the provisions of the Polytechnic Amendment Act 2019 in the appointment of principal officers, and 25%/35% Salary Increase of staff in all tertiary institutions in the state.

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The appeal was made in a communique issued at the end of a meeting held  at Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic, Ijebu- Igbo, Ogun state, signed by the Chairmen and Secretaries of all the branches in Ogun State.

The meeting discussed several issues concerning the welfare of members and the management of the various Polytechnics in the state.

The communique stated that there is urgent need to review the subvention given to the polytechnics in the state.

According to the communique,” Council observed with dismay the fact that the monthly subvention acruable to Polytechnics in the state had not only been irregular, but grossly inadequate. Council viewed this development alongside the well-known government priority of education even up to the tertiary level as had always been championed by His Excellency, Prince Dapo Abiodun CON, the Executive Governor of Ogun State, and resolve that there is a disconnect.

Council viewed the meagre monthly subvention as working in the opposite direction of the vision and mission of the current government in the State. A situation where the same amount had been released as monthly subvention for Polytechnics for over one decade, regardless of the worsening economic situations, annual increment and promotions of staff with its attendant increasing monthly wage bill obviously is due for a review.

Council therefore, wishes to bring the attention of the State Government to this situation, believing same to judiciously look into it and do the needful. “

It also noted that there is disparity in the Consolidated Salary Structure applicable to the staff of Polytechnics in the State, considering this haphazard implementation of the Consolidated Salary Structure worrisome and regards this development as anti-worker and a huge demoralizer to the entire staff of affected Polytechnics in the State.

The council appealed to the State Government to consider addressing this disparity as the economic situation in the country has always maintained a uniform effect on all workers, irrespective of the institution they are domiciled.

On the tenure of principal officers in the polytechnics, the council noted that there is need to adhere strictly to the provisions of the amended Polytechnic Act, 2019 in relation to the tenure of Principal Officers.

The communique stated that,”Council specifically commended the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology for ensuring that the recent appointment of Rectors to the five (5) Ogun State owned Polytechnics were made in compliance with the 2019 amended Polytechnic Act.

However, Council noted that against the provision of a 5-year single term for all Principal Officers, except the Deputy Rector who is entitled to a 4-year single term arbitrariness had recently been deployed by Governing Councils in the interpretation of this provisions in Polytechnics of Ogun State extract. Of particular mention is the situation in the Ogun State Polytechnic of Health and Allied Sciences, Ilese-Ijebu, where the Governing Council recently extended the expired tenure of the substantive Registrar.

The action of the Governing Council of the Polytechnic is viewed by State Council as a subversion of the provisions of the extant laws. Council therefore, call on the State Government, the Head of Service, State Ministry of Education, Science and Technology as well as the Governing Council of the Ogun State Polytechnic of Health and Allied Sciences, Ilese-Ijebu to revert to the provisions of the Polytechnic Act in this regard.

Council opined that this is the only recipe to avoid setting a very bad precedent that could throw Polytechnics in Ogun State into avoidable crisis.

Council stated that any attempt, however, by any Polytechnic in the State to extend similar illegality to its Principal Officers would be jointly rejected and there would not be any assurance of industrial harmony in the state Polytechnics.”

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