Academic and non-academic staff at the Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic in Eruwa, Oyo State, have appealed to the state government to prioritize their welfare.
The workers, represented by the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics, and the Non-Academic Staff Union, made this request in a statement issued to journalists.
The statement was jointly signed by Engr. Adeboje Taiwo Bode (ASUP Chairman), Mr. Titiloye Joseph (SSANIP Chairman), and Mr. Jayeola Titus (NASU Chairman).
The workers acknowledged the efforts of the institution’s management and Governor Seyi Makinde for ensuring timely salary payments. “We workers at the institution acknowledged and appreciated the management for the timely disbursement of salaries, as mandated by Governor Seyi Makinde,” they stated.
However, the staff highlighted several issues that need urgent attention to maintain industrial harmony. “We, however, want the governor to address certain things affecting the institution and its workers. We are of the opinion that the inability to address these issues may disrupt industrial harmony in the institution,” the statement read.
One major concern is the practice of using Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to augment salaries. “We are strongly against the practice of augmenting salaries from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). At this point, the workers resolved that the state government provide full subvention to end salary augmentation,” they said.
The workers also called for the restoration of the institution’s capacity to meet its critical operational needs and criticized the role of the Platinum Consultant, who retains 10% of all internally generated revenue.
“It was noted that the consultant retains 10 per cent of all internally generated revenue, a practice deemed exploitative and unnecessary. We resolved that the institution must be immediately exempted from the Platinum Consultant’s oversight to ensure equitable treatment and operational efficiency,” the statement noted.
Additionally, they urged the government to address the issue of inadequate manpower by hiring full-time staff.
“We call for the employment of full-time members of staff to permanently take care of inadequate manpower in the institution,” they concluded.
The Adeseun Ogundoyin Polytechnic is one of the tertiary educational institutions owned by the Oyo State government.
The workers hope that addressing these concerns will improve the institution’s operations and the welfare of its staff.
