Workers of tertiary institutions in Bayelsa Set to down tool over non implantation of promotion arrears
Barring any last minute intervention by the Bayelsa State government workers in the state owned tertiary institutions may embark on industrial action to press for the non-implementation of promotion arrears and other issues affecting them.
Workers under the aegis of joint action committee of the state owned institutions on the Niger Delta University (NDU) Amassoma, State Polytechnic Aleibiri Jasper Adaka Boro, Colleague of Education Sagbama, College of health Technology Otuogidi, made their grievances know in a radio programme rhythm 94.7 FM view-point monitored by our correspondent in Yenagoa.
The Chairman Comrade Lucky Brambaifa said they have waited patiently but the government has continued to pay deaf ears to their demands.
The workers said that a committee to resolve all outstanding issues has since submitted its report to government but yet to response by the government. The Higher Institutions Joint Action Committee (HIJAC) Bayelsa State Chapter, comprising of representatives from all tertiary institutions in the state, have called on the executive Governor of Bayelsa State, senator Douye Diri, to intervene on implementing outstanding benefits that will improve on the welfare of their members.
They beckoned on the Governor, to approve the twenty five and thirty five percent salary increase for tertiary institutions, as announced by the National salaries income and wages Commission, stating that Lecturers have suspended their postgraduate programs as salaries can no longer fend for their fees.
The committee made this known when they appeared on Silverbird’s Rhythm 94.7fm News and Current Affairs Program, Viewpoint over the weekend.
Speaking during the program, the chairman of the Bayelsa state Higher Institutions Joint Action Committee (HIJAC),Comrade Lucky Brambaifa, described subvention as demonic and devilish with regards to Higher Institution staffs, while calling on the government to implement promotions and step increments.
Also speaking, the Secretary of the Higher Institutions Joint Action Committee (HIJAC), Dr. Barinewi Binaebi and the Treasurer, Comrade Isaac Thomas, appealed to Governor Douye Diri to release funds for the accreditation of courses in the State owned Polytechnic and also make haste in alleviating their sufferings by paying their long over due salaries.
On his part, the chairman of Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, comrade Arugo Nathaniel, called on the state Governor to stand up to it’s responsibility by implementing their promotions from two thousand and nineteen to two thousand and twenty three, alongside addressing other welfare issues as it relates to his committee members.
Our correspondent who monitored the program reports that, the Higher Institutions Joint Action Committee (HIJAC), Bayelsa State Chapter, also commended the state Governor, senator Douye Diri, for reinstating workers in the Higher Institutions who were relieved from their duties few years ago.