By: Emmanuel Nlewedum
Lecturers at the Kenule Beeson Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, Bori and Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Rumuola, Port Harcourt both in Rivers State have boycotted the ongoing nationwide strike embarked upon by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP.
Our correspondent, who monitored compliance at both institutions, Wednesday, reports that normal academic activities were ongoing in the faculties and departments as at the time of the visit, while students were seen at their various lecture halls having their lectures without any disturbance or disruptions.
Our correspondent also reports that no decision to join the ongoing strike by lecturers in the institutions have been reached.
At the Ken Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, one of the workers who pleaded anonymity, said members might not be participating in the strike for fear of being sacked or non-payment of their salaries by the State Governor, Nyesom Wike.
He said: “I don’t think we will join the nationwide strike.
“You know how Wike does his things, he might seize our salaries or even sack us. So we need to hear first from our EXCO here”.
Efforts to speak with the branch chairmen of ASUP at the institution proved abortive as he was said to have been away from the office and neither take or return calls and text messages put across to his phone line.
Our correspondent also reported that the case was same at the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic as lecturers also refused to comply with the directive of the national leadership of the union.
One of the lecturers who do not want his name mentioned said, “My brother, for now, as you can see, we are in the school, we are not participating in the strike, except there would be another directive from leaders here”.
When contacted the ASUP Chairman, of Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, Dr. Moses Bakpo declined comment on the development.
He said, “I cannot speak with you now, we have been in a meeting since morning, just forget about it”.
ASUP on Tuesday declared an indefinite strike to demand the implementation of a new salary scheme for polytechnic lecturers.
The union is also demanding payment of salaries and promotion allowances owed lecturers by some state governments.
National President of ASUP, Anderson Ezeibe who insisted that strike will continue until their demands are met, however noted that the union will be open for dialogue with the Federal Government to resolve the issues raised.
