FG Approves N15bn Revitalization Fund for Polytechnics, Colleges

THE Federal Government has approved the sum of N15 billion as revitalisation fund for Polytechnics and Colleges of Technology in the country.

This approval, was part of the agreement reached between the Federal Government and leadership of Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), leading to the suspension of an indefinite strike action recently embarked on by the lecturers.

The ASUP had commenced the strike 6th April, 2021 and lasted for 65 days as it was 10th June, purportedly for a period of three months to enable the government complete the execution of the items contained in the Memorandum of Action signed with the Union on 27th April, 2021.

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Recall that the national president of ASUP, Comrade Anderson Ezeibe, while declaring the strike said the non-implementation of NEEDS Assessment report of 2014 in the sector, as well as the inability to release any revitalization fund to the sector despite assurances since 2017 was one key factor serving as catalyst to the strike.

ASUP, however, rising from its 100th National Executive Council meeting held at Auchi Polytechnic, Auchi, Edo State from 12th to l6th July, where they extensively discussed critical national issues, noted with joy the approval of N15 billion as revitalisation fund for Polytechnics and Colleges of Technology by the Federal Government.

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A communique issued at the end of the meeting and made available to newsmen, by the National Publicity Secretary of ASUP, Abdullahi Yalwa, the lecturers lauded President Muhammadu Buhari for approval of the N15 billion and appealed to him to direct the immediate release of the fund to enable the sector enjoy the benefit of addressing critical infrastructural deficits.

“NEC sadly noted the lingering disparity in the implementation of policies between Federal and State-owned Polytechnics/Monotechnics; which adversely affects the uniformity of standards among these institutions”

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“NEC also noted with dismay unconcern attitude of government to defray the arrears of the national minimum and federal polytechnics, and non-implementation of the minimum wages as well non-payment of arrears in most states across the country.

“NEC however appreciates the Senate for the speedy passage of the bill for the removal of dichotomy between HND and B.Sc. While looking forward the concurrence of the House of Representatives,”.