Unpaid Salaries: RUGIPO Rector Breaks Silence, Promises to Resolve face-off with Unions
By Friday Omosola
The Rector of Ondo State owned Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, owo, Mr Gani Ogundahunsi has affirmed that the current face off between workers and the management on the issue of salary arrears would soon be resolved.
Mr Ogundahunsi gave the assurance on Wednesday while reacting to reports of the suspension of union activities in the institution early reported by The Trumpet
According to the Rector, “The state owned polytechnic had a history of backlog of salary before the present administration came on board with a series of interventions which have brought peace and unequaled Development to the school.”
However, he lamented that the Economic constraints in the country were responsible for the pitiable financial situation of the institution and enjoined the workers to show more understanding as the state government has begun the process of paying off backlog of salary arrears.
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Mr. Ogundahunsi further stated that the recent subvention from the state government was used for the payment of two and half months salaries, promising that more efforts would be deployed to ameliorate the situation.
He maintained that a peace meeting between the management and leadership of the unions towards achieving a lasting solution to all wavering issues to stave off disruption of admission process and academic calendar in the polytechnic had been convened.
The Trumpet had earlier reported that in a circular signed by the Institution’s Registrar, Atiku Sule, and dated
4January, 2022, the management of RUGIPO suspended the activities of Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics (SSANIP) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) for a planned indefinite strike by the unions over months of unpaid salaries.
While reacting to the suspension of union activities by the management of the institution, Chairman of SSANIP, Comrade Chris Olowolade said the management and the Union should come to a round table and discuss the way forward regarding payment of the salary arrears.
“Let us discuss how we are going to get the salary arrears, let them pay what they have because Mr. Governor is magnanimous to have released the subvention,” Olowolade told a correspondent of The Trumpet.
