In all chapters, the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics( ASUP) directed its members to hold a referendum to suspend the ongoing strike in the polytechnics of the nation. Mr Usman Dutse, the ASUP National President told the news men in Lagos on Thursday that the referendum will take place between this week and next week.
He said the referendum was to evaluate the efforts of the federal government to end the ongoing polytechnic strike.
"The union received some evidence and documents requested by the Federal Government to support its N16.4 billion payment claim as a salary shortfall." even though the union has not received all documents, it has decided and directed all chapters to hold a referendum between now and next week, as the next line of action will be decided.
"they gave us some documents, but not all of them. Now we go to the ministry to pursue submissions.
"The National Executive Council will meet after the referendum to decide on the next line of action, "he said.
NAN reports that Malam Adamu Adamu, Minister of Education, released N16.4 billion in Abuja on 31 January to settle the country's outstanding salary arrears.He also said another billion N30 was raised as funds for revitalization.
During the" Sixth edition of the Ministerial Press Briefing, "Adamu said that the disbursement continued through the The Federation's Office of the General Accountant to solve the problems and demands of ASUU and ASUP.
Adamu said the government had solved all the problems and awaits the academic unions in the coming days, especially ASUU and ASUP, to also call off their strike.
Since then, ASUP has refused to receive any payment, either by document or proof of the federal government 's said N16.4 billion.
The union began its indefinite strike on 12 December 2018 after the government failed to meet various agreements reached with the union since 2009. NAN
