Akwa-poly Non-Academic workers protest government refusal to approve 65 years retirement benefit
From Dennis Udoma, Uyo
It was drama yesterday (Wednesday) as the Non Academic Staff of Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua barricaded entrance into the institution, preventing lecturers and students from entering the campus.
Daylight Correspondent learned that, the aggrieved workers were protesting the Akwa Ibom State government’s refusal to approve the 65 years retirement benefits for Non Academic staffers like for the Academic staff union of the polytechnics.
An eye witness, who refused to be mentioned said, students and lecturers who came to the school in the morning for routine lectures and work were stranded, while some clustered at strategic places to discuss the malaise.
According to him, “a placard was pasted at the gate with inscription to the Rector to, please come and salvage the situation by directing the implementation of the 65 years retirement age”.
President of the Students’ Union Government (SUG), Comrade George Geoffrey declined comment on the incident but, a lecturer who pleaded anonymity explained that, “the Non Academic Staff strike in Akwa Ibom Polytechnic is a case of jealousy against the academic staff who were granted 65 years as retirement age.
He argued that, the Non Academic staff union is an arm of the workforce of the institution adding that, they have gone too far to lock the school gate barring staff and students from having access into the school.
“In the university system, professors are given 70 years as retirement age. Other Academic Staff are given 65 years. The other five years is for research and book writing to allow them give back to the academic community their experiences over the years before they retire.
” If the non academic staff want 65 years, they change their status to academic staff and enjoy such privileges. They should also write books to contribute to knowledge in the academic community”, he said.
Effort to reach the Commissioner for Education, Mrs Idongesit Etiebet for comment was not successful at press time but, the striking workers were still barricading the institution and disrupting academic activities.
