The Ondo State House of Assembly has called on striking staff of Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo (RUGIPO), to embrace peace and show understanding as the institution grapples with longstanding financial challenges. This appeal comes amid an indefinite strike action by the polytechnic’s workforce, protesting the non-payment of six months’ salaries and the state government’s failure to implement the national minimum wage.
The Assembly had, last week, constituted an Ad-hoc Committee to delve into the root of the industrial action. During a fact-finding meeting with the institution’s management in Akure, the Committee’s Chairman, Mr. Stephen Abitogun, reaffirmed the legislature’s commitment to resolving the crisis and ensuring the students’ academic future is safeguarded.
“Institutions of higher learning are meant to be centres of academic excellence where talents are nurtured and careers are shaped,” Abitogun stated. He emphasized that Ondo State has long been a symbol of peace and tranquillity, underscoring the Assembly’s decision to intervene.
“As representatives of the people, some of whom have their children and wards in that institution, we cannot stand by and watch the institution becoming a breeding ground for unrest,” he said, pledging that the Assembly would review the committee’s findings and make decisive recommendations aimed at restoring stability to the campus.
The committee’s engagement plan includes meetings with the polytechnic’s management, academic and non-academic staff, and a dialogue session with the students to foster inclusive solutions.
Responding to the Assembly’s overtures, Acting Rector of RUGIPO, Mr. Adegun Olorunwa, acknowledged the workers’ grievances. He confirmed that staff are owed six months of unpaid salaries and expressed empathy with their plight. However, he called for patience, noting that efforts are in motion to alleviate the financial strain.
“Upon my assumption of office, the situation had deteriorated so much that salaries were being paid in percentages. At that time, workers were receiving as little as five per cent. Sometimes it was 10 per cent, 20 per cent, and at best, 70 per cent,” Olorunwa revealed.
“We often had to wait three months just to pay one month’s salary. It was that bad. But on the day I took over, I gathered the workers and declared that the era of percentage salary payments had come to an end. By God’s grace, that declaration has held true,” he added.
Olorunwa proudly noted that for the past 18 months, full salaries had been paid. He also commended the state governor for addressing part of the arrears by paying six out of 12 months’ backlogs in one go.
Despite the industrial action, the Acting Rector pointed out that the school has remained open. “As we speak, students are still on campus. So, the idea of shutting down the institution does not exist,” he clarified.
He concluded by assuring that the institution’s leadership is receptive to the Assembly’s initiative. “We are here to listen to you. At the end of this process, our recommendations will be aimed at ensuring peace and development.”
