Ondo State Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa
By Banji Ayoola
Ondo State Government on Wednesday threatened to withhold salaries of all striking workers of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo, RUGIPO, who fail to resume duties immediately in compliance with its directive.
It gave the warning few minutes after the institution’s Management suspended all union activities, and directed the striking workers to resume their normal duties.
Besides, the government warned that the institution’s Management would enforce the “No work, No pay” rule against any staff member who fails to resume as directed.
These were contained in a directive by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Union Matters and Special Duties, Comrade Bola Taiwo, to the Chairman of the institution’s chapter of Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics, SSANIP;
Apart from the two measures above, the government also directed the immediate suspension of all union activities; and all union leadership in the institution until further notice.
According to the directive, titled “Suspension of Union Activities, union leadership, and enforcement of “No work, No pay” rule:
“The Governor of Ondo State, His Excellency, Dr Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, has noted with grave concern the continued refusal of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), RUGIPO Chapter to comply with the directive mandating the immediate reopening of the institution and resumption of academic and administrative activities.
“Despite clear instructions issued to all staff and the leadership of the Union, it is observed that the Union has willfully defied the directive thereby disrupting the academic calendar and undermining lawful authority.
“In view of the foregoing, and in the interest of restoring normalcy, the Ondo State Government hereby issues the following directives with immediate effect”:
The directive was also copied to the Rector; and Chairmen of the institution’s chapters of Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP; Non Teaching Staff Union of Polytechnics, NOTSUP; the state Commissioner of Police; and Director of State Security Services.
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