Wale JAGUN
-Call for immediate commencement of work by visitation panel
Lagos State Polytechnic chapter of the Non-academic Union (NASU), has decried the executive order by the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, which resulted in the midnight raid, arrest, arraignment and subsequent imprisonment of 38 of their members on Thursday, July 11, 2019.
This is contained in a release signed by Comrade Yemisi Olabisi, Secretary, NASU LASPOTECH chapter.
A copy of the release was given to THE IMPACT at the weekend.
It would be recalled that the union called its Congress Meeting on July, 17, 2019, following the release of the arrested union members.
The Union, while commending the Governor’s timely intervention in the crisis rocking the institution, also called for the immediate constitution of the Visitation Panel without any further delay to unravel allegations of financial misconduct and high-handedness against Mr Samuel Sogunro led management.
The Congress also resolved that the Management should reverse to the December 2018 salaries for all staff members pending the outcome of the report of the Visitation Panel. They adduced that the take-home pay of most of their members due to de-migration is not sufficient.
They appealed to the Governor to use his good office to ensure that all criminal charges against the union members among others are withdrawn.
THE IMPACT gathered that a copy of this resolutions and letter of appreciation have been sent to the Governor by the union.
The resolutions read thus:
“In response to the intervention and broadcast of the Governor, His Excellency Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, the Union immediately held a Congress Meeting on the 17th July, 2019, and rose with the following resolutions for information and further necessary action:
“Sequel to the much awaited intervention of the Governor, His Excellency Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, and in the interest of our students for an enabling and conducive learning systems, the Congress resolved to suspend her industrial action with immediate effect, hence work resumes Thursday, 18th July, 2019.
“The Congress resolved that the Governor, His Excellency, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, should be written an appreciation letter for his timely intervention in the crisis rocking the Institution as against the undue neglect the Congress suffered during the regime of his predecessor, Governor Akinwumi Ambode.
“Though, the Congress appreciate the timely intervention of the Governor but very unhappy and decried the Management’s claim of an ‘Executive Order’ issued by Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu which resulted in the violent raid, attack, arrest, arraignment and imprisonment of thirty-eight (38) members of the staff Unions at about 1:30am on Thursday, 11th July, 2019, in a ‘Commando Style’ by the Nigeria Police”.
It was also stated that the union has directed its letter of appeal for the reinstatement of disengaged members to the Head of Service as directed by the Governor when he intervened in the matter.
“The Congress resolved that sequel to the submission of the Letter of Appeal to the Head of Service (HOS) by the four (4) disengaged NASU members as directed by the Governor in his broadcast, the Congress further appeal to the Governor to help with their reinstatement.
“The Congress resolved that the Visitation Panel proposed by the Governor in his broadcast should be constituted without further delay to unravel the high-handedness, maladministration and financial recklessness of the Sogunro-Led Administration.
“The Congress also resolved that the Management should reverse to the December 2018 salaries for all staff members pending the outcome of the report of the Visitation Panel because the present take-home pay of most of our members resulting from the De-Migration of their salaries cannot even take them to work as some receive as little as #1,400 even negative net pay per month.
“The Congress appeal to the Governor to kindly use his good office to withdraw all criminal charges against the initial ten (10) staff members of our Unions (LASPOTECH 10+1) and the latest thirty-eight (38) staff members of our Unions (LASPOTECH 38) because our members are not criminals rather legitimately agitating for their welfare, and against the highhandedness and maladministration and financial recklessness of the current Management of the Polytechnic.
“The Congress also resolved and appeal to the Nigeria Police to kindly return the personal mobile phones and properties seized on the day of arrest to our members”.
