NLC PICKETS ABIA STATE POLYTECHNIC FOR SACKING 258 WORKERS

Academic and commercial activities have been disrupted as the Executive of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Abia State Chapter picketed the Abia State Polytechnic Aba over alleged sacking of two hundred and fifty eight of its members of staff. Addressing journalists, NLC Chairman in Abia State, Comrade Uchenna Obigwe, said that they decided to picket the institution over alleged laying off of some of its workforce without following the due process of the law.

Comrade Obigwe claimed that some of the sacked workers did not commit any offense that required punishment of any kind, accusing the management of the institution of victimization. Comrade Obigwe also alleged that the Rector of the institution, Professor Ezionye Ebo, collected one hundred and seventy-six thousand naira for diesel for his accommodation every week, but neither use the accommodation as he accused the Rector of operating from a hotel in Aba.

Comrade Obigwe enumerated non-payment of sixteen months arrears of salaries, non remittance of deducted check off dues for over a year and non release of personnel savings of the workers through cooperative union as some of the plights of the workers of institution. The National President, Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics, Comrade Philip Ogunship, who was represented by the Assistant National Secretary, Comrade Emmanuel Enyiegor, described the incident as very worrisome and urged the management of the institution to recall the affected workers as due process was not followed in the sack.

When contacted on telephone, the Public Relations Officer, Abia State Polytechnic Aba, Mrs. Chinyere Eze, debunked the allegations leveled against the Rector and the management of the institution, claiming they were a plot to smear the good image of the Rector and the school.

LAWRENCE NWOKEDI