The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP) has asked the federal government to, as a matter of urgency, address the pressing issues of economic hardship and security challenges facing the country.
A communiqué signed by the National President, Comrade Adebanjo Ogunsipe, and National Secretary, Comrade Nura Shehu Gaya, at the end at its 129th General Executive Council (GEC) meeting in Abuja, also listed a number of issues to be addressed by the federal and state governments.
“SSANIP emphasized the urgency of government intervention to address galloping inflation, food insecurity, and escalating security threats.
“Council noted the growing complaints from branches on the draconian ‘pay-as-you-earn’ tax regime on our members. Council viewed this development as taking away with the left hand, what was given with the right hand.
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“Council, for the umpteenth time urged the Head of Service of the Federation to ensure that action is expedited on the release of the new Scheme of Service document for the use of polytechnics in the country,” the communiqué reads in part.
The association also expressed dismay at the deliberate and unprecedented disdain of government for the same document it signed into law.
It reminded the federal and state governments that it is a responsibility bestowed on them to ensure the constitution of governing councils in all polytechnics in the country.
They expressed “displeasure at the government’s continued indifference to the issue of implementation of the approved tertiary institutions salary review, even when the cost implications had been captured in the 2023 budget.”
SSANIP noted complaints from some state government-owned polytechnics with respect to non-payment of outstanding salary arrears by their governments, adding that “this development is not only unacceptable but most unfair in the face of the current economic hardship in the country.”
