FG resolves Bayelsa poly crisis, Institution resumes October 6

The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has successfully resolved the ongoing labor dispute at the Federal Polytechnic, Ekowe, situated in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa.

The minister convened a meeting with the parties involved in the industrial dispute, which had resulted in the Polytechnic, located along the banks of the River Nun in Bayelsa, being closed since July 11. This mediatory meeting took place on September 29.

According to information obtained by the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday, after thoroughly listening to the representatives of the workers and the management, Alausa established a resumption date of October 6.

The meeting, held in Abuja, was attended by the Chairmen and Secretaries of the three unions at the Polytechnic, the Rector, and the Chairman of the Governing Council.

The unions involved include the Non-Academic Staff Union, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics, and the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics at the institution.

Additionally, NAN reported that the minister instructed the governing council to form a new panel to investigate various allegations made against the Rector by the unions.

This panel has been tasked with submitting its findings within three weeks.

NAN also noted that the meeting was prompted by a joint petition submitted to the minister regarding the suspension of a governing council meeting intended to address the labor dispute, which was justified on the basis of insecurity.

In their petition, the workers asserted that the claim of insecurity was merely a tactic to avoid an impending investigation into allegations against the Rector, as there was no actual security threat in Bayelsa that would necessitate the suspension, especially since council members were already present in town for the meeting.

The unions have stated that only the suspension of the Rector, Dr. Agbabiaka Lukman, pending the investigation, will ensure industrial peace within the institution.

The workers had locked the institution in response to alleged breaches of the Polytechnic Act by the Rector, who had taken the three unions to court over labor disputes, despite the governing council being statutorily required under the Act to manage labor-related issues.

When contacted for an update on the face-off, Mr Nimizuo Pereseigha, Public Relations Officer of the tertiary institution, declined comment.