25th October, 2016
The Academic Staff Union of Federal Polytechnic, Kaura-Namoda in Zamfara, on Tuesday, commenced a two-week warning strike over alleged high-handedness, dictatorship and poor management by the Rector of the institution.
The Chairman of the union, Mr Siraj Muhammad said at a news briefing on Tuesday in Kauran Namoda that the lecturers were also protesting alleged decay of facilities at the polytechnic.
He said the union had met severally with the management over the issues without any tangible efforts made to address the problems.
Muhammad accused the rector of appropriating all responsibilities, thereby, grounding administrative activities at the polytechnic.
He said that part of the union’s demands was the devolution of powers and responsibilities to other heads, provision of water to students’ hostels and full autonomy to the school clinic.
The striking lecturers were also asking for provision of equipment for practicals, confirmation of appointment of deserving employees and payment of outstanding allowances.
The ASUP chairman alleged that students trek far distance in search of water daily, thereby, affecting their studies, while security guards attached to the institution stay for months without salary.
He contended that the situation had demoralized workers and resulted to carefree attitude to work.
Muhammad also noted that the absence of basic equipment for practicals had led to the reduction of practicals conducted during semesters from 10 to only two.
“The situation has made it impossible to accredit some courses,” he added.
When contacted, the Rector, Mr. Abubakar Lugga said discussion had already begun with the lecturers to resolve the problems.
The rector, however, pointed out that tackling the issues raised by the lecturers would be gradual, due to the current hard times.