#2.1Billion Outstanding Subventions: RUGIPO Staff Declare Indefinite Strike

By Niyi Olutunde, Akure

The Academic Staff Union of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic Owo, Ondo State has declared an indefinite strike over #2.1billion unpaid subventions by the Ondo state government.

Addressing a Press Conference in Akure, the state capital, at the weekend, the Chairman of ASUP, Comrade Rafiu Ijawoye said the amount represents the two time slashed subventions by the Dr. Olusegun Mimiko led administration and Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu in recent times.

This, he said has led to #1.7billion unpaid salaries of all staff in the institution for ten months.

The Union is also demanding the immediate payments of 16 months consolidated Polytechnic Salary Structure (CONPOCASS) allowance which they said is long overdue for payment.

However, Ijawoye assured that the Union is ready to dialogue with the government as soon as there is invitation to that effect.

They noted that they do not deserved such neglect while their counterpart in the civil service are being paid their entitlement as at when due.

His words, “Accreditation, as it stands all programmes being offered by the Polytechnic are due for accreditation and are under the threat of being de-accredited due apparently to deliberate starvation of funds.

“The Polytechnic community at large as well as the collapsing state of infrastructure in the institution. This unfortunately, is due to palpably lackadaisical and inept attitude of the management and the insensitivity of the government towards the collective goals and aspirations of this oldest institution in Ondo state.

“Decaying infrastructures, abandonment of ongoing projects, inadequate lecture rooms, acute shortage of accommodation and non availability of seats. A situation where students have to remain on their feet during lectures is deplorable. As a matter of fact, the situation becomes more worrisome during the examinations when students virtually sit on themselves. A seat that shouldn’t take more than three persons during examination is forced to take, at times, eight to nine persons. Exams. In RUGIPO can best be described as theatre of absurdity and negation of necessary ethics”.

He went further, “whilst we are optimistic that the government of Arakunrin will bring positive change to the Polytechnic as against past deprivation, the character of the state government presently remains as it were contrary to our expectations”.