ASUP Laments Delta Government Salary Subvention Policy
The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), has raised the alarm over the salary subvention policy of the Delta State government in the state-owned polytechnics, lamenting that the policy has adverse consequences on tertiary education in the state.
Addressing journalists on Thursday August 4th 2022, during a press conference held at Ogwashi-Uku Polytechnic, in Aniocha south local government area of the state, the Zonal Coordinator of ASUP, South-south, Comrade Precious Nwakodo, said the briefing became imperative after several attempts to make the Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa-led administration review its position.
Comrade Nwakodo, who also doubles as the South-east Zonal Coordinator, bemoaned the ills the policy has birthed while rejecting same and calling on State government to have a rethink and halt further implementation of the policy in the two state-owned polytechnics.
The South-south and South-east Zonal Coordinator who was flanked by Comrade Iwezu Joseph Iwezu, Chairman of ASUP, Ogwashi-Uku Polytechnic chapter, Comrade Henry Obeh, Chairman, Otefe Polytechnic chapter Oghara in Ethiope west local government area among others, regretted that since the introduction of the policy in April 2022, it has caused delay in the payment of salaries.
“Since the introduction of this policy in April 2022, staff of the institutions now receive salaries two-three weeks into the new month. The economic effect of this on the private lives of these workers who are indigenes of the state as well as their dependents are better imagined.
“This ugly trend has continued to worsen as the month pass as management of these institutions are finding it extremely difficult to raise several millions of naira monthly to augment what the government provides.
“If not checked now, these institutions will start owing staff salaries which may lead to the kind of situation we have in Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, where staff are owned up to 36 months arrears of salary” Nwakodo, hinted.
Others who flanked the Zonal Coordinator, includes, Comrade U. Philomena Omodafe, Vice Chairman Ogwashi-Uku Polytechnic chapter, Comrade Enaghinor Lucky Akpoveta, Welfare Secretary, Otefe Polytechnic chapter and Comrade Atumah Progress, General Secretary, Otefe Polytechnic chapter.
It would be recall that on April 2022, the State government introduced the salary subvention policy which provides that the managements of the Polytechnics contribute not less than 10 percent of the total monthly wage Bill of all staff in their employment while the government takes care of the other percentage.
