COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED THIS SEPTEMBER 22, 2020 AT THE END OF A THREE-DAY MINI SUMMIT ON THE REPOSITIONING OF THE ABIA STATE POLYTECHNICAL ABA, ORGANIZED BY THE ABIA STATE GOVERNMENT AT THE HOTEL DU GOLF ABA, SEPTEMBER 20, ABIA STATE 2020 TO SEPTEMBER 22, 2020.
PREAMBLE:
The three-day mini-summit on the repositioning of the Abia State Polytechnic, Aba attracted stakeholders from the Abia State Government, the Abia State Polytechnic, Aba and labor leaders from the national and state levels, including the Staff Union Academic of Polytechnics (ASUP), Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational Institutions and Associates (NASU), Association of Senior Personnel of Polytechnics of Nigeria
(SSANIP).
The summit was declared open by the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu. The Governor’s Chief of Staff, Dr. Anthony Agbazuere; the Hon. The Commissioner of Education, Dr. Kanelechi Nwangwa; the Hon. Information Commissioner, Chief John Okiyi Kalu; the Hon. Commissioner of Science and Technology, Barr. Chijioke Madumere; the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Mr. Eze Ajuzie; the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance, Sir Kelechi Alozie, and the Hon. Ezebunwa Ubani, President of the PPIDF Abia State.
The Rector of the Polytechnic of the State of Abia, Aba, Asso also attended. Prof. Osonwa Okorie Kalu; Academic Deputy Rector, Chief C.S. Mpamugo; the Deputy Rector for Administration, Dr. Chigbu Njike; the Secretary, Ms. Comfort Nwabughuogu; and the Treasurer, Mr. Friday Omenihu.
The unions were represented by the comrade president of the Polytechnic Academic Staff Union (ASUP), Anderson Ezeibe; The President of NASU, represented by Comrade Deputy Secretary General, Augustine Ageva; and the president of SSANIP, Comrade Adebanjo Ogunsipe;
The summit presentation format included nine (9) keynote presentations followed by in-depth discussions by the participants. The following main presentations were made:
to. The governor’s speech, which describes the raison d’être of the institution, its dwindling fortunes and the way forward.
yes. Status report of the Governing Council of the Polytechnic of the State of Abia.
C. Report of the Rector.
re. Registrar’s report.
me. The treasurer’s report.
F. The Presentation of the Hon. Commissioner of Education.
gram. The Presentation of the President of ASUP.
h. The Presentation of the representative of the President of NASU.
me. The Presentation of the President of SSANIP.
j. The presentation of the Alumni Association
After discussions and interactions, therefore, the participants in the plenary adopted the following resolutions:
1. That all interested parties should come together to ensure that the Abia State Polytechnic is repositioned and reoriented to produce medium and high-level workforce in the areas of science, technology, vocational technology and management.
2. That the Governing Council and Management have a reasonable period of six months from October 2020 to stabilize and begin to pay back salary and pension arrears within the period.
2.1. Within 2 weeks, workers must receive at least one month off the areas.
3. That the Governing Council and the Directorate commit to the payment of salaries and pensions when they are due, as of October 2020.
4. That the Governing Council and the Directorate examine the general expenses of the Polytechnic in order to cover all financial leaks and eliminate all unnecessary and unjustified expenses.
5. That the Governing Council and the Administration undertake a personnel audit, a physical enumeration of all personnel, with a view to determining their number.
6. That the Governing Council and the Directorate of the Abia Polytechnic review the location of the personnel to ensure that all personnel who occupy positions beyond their academic qualifications are correctly located.
7. That the Government of the State of Abia must establish and inaugurate a Visiting Panel to the Polytechnic of the State of Abia every five (5) years to ensure that the institution is on the right track with respect to its basic objectives and responsibilities towards staff, students and the host community.
8. That the union undertakes to maintain labor peace and not to carry out strikes within six months with respect to the issues in this communiqué.
9. That a permanent mechanism for dispute resolution and follow-up be established to guarantee fluid and harmonious labor relations.
10. That the Polytechnic should diversify its operations to include other legal activities that improve the finances of the Polytechnic.
11. That a forensic investigation be carried out into the application of the 2 billion naira injected into the Polytechnic by the Abia state government with a view to determining how the funds were used and to establish the culprits.
12. That Government should ensure the prompt release of grants owed to the Polytechnic beginning in October 2020 to support current salary payments.
13. That the Governing Council and Management must take immediate steps to achieve full accreditation of the programs at the Polytechnic.
14. That the Governing Council and Management must urgently organize the convening act of the Polytechnic in the shortest time possible.
15. That the Governing Council and Management must review the recent streamlining of staff at the school within six months.
16. The summit proposed the revision of the Law that establishes the Institution.
17. In the next six months, the summit will reconvene to assess the progress made in relation to these resolutions.
Finally, we thank the Government of the State of Abia, the Governing Council and Directorate of the State Polytechnic of Abia and all the unions for the resolution of pending issues and their commitment to reposition the State Polytechnic of Abia.
SIGNED:
For the government of the state of Abia
1. Associate Professor ACB Agbazuere, Ph.D (Law).
Chief of Staff of the Governor.
2. Associate Professor KCK Nwangwa, Ph, D
Commissioner of Education.
For Governing Council / Direction
1. Hon Obioma Ekpem,
Member of the Governing Council of the Polytechnic of the State of Abia.
2. Associate Professor Okorie Kalu Osonwa. Doctor
Rector of the State Polytechnic of Abia Aba.
3. Chief Ms. Comfort Adanma Nwabughuogu,
Polytechnic Registrar of the State of Abia.
By the unions
1. Comrade Anderson Ezeibe,
President (ASUP).
2. Comrade Augustine Ageva,
Adjunct General Sec. (NASU).
3. Comrade Adebanjo Ogunsipe,
President (SSANIP).
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