By A Concerned Citizen
The Oke-Ogun Polytechnic Saki (TOPS) was formerly a Satellite Campus of The Polytechnic Ibadan before it was granted an autonomy in 2014 by the then Executive Governor of Oyo State, Late Senator Abiola Isiaq Ajimobi . The government then did not give money to the institution for take-off. Accreditation of courses was difficult, which means the institution could not employ. The last employment took place in 2011 in the institution.
The institution is one of the many institutions in the state that employ the service of casual staff. The casual staff there are used as cheap labour because when they came, there was no money but now, there is enough money to regularize their appointment. The question is why have they not been given appointment letters despite their tedious work they are doing for the institution.
Evidence abounds that these casual staff comprising of both academic and non academic staff, have been used for various accreditations since the institution started having its own accreditation. Some of these workers have been serving for 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, etc. years. What a modern day slavery! To further denigrate these workers, they are condemned to N 30,000, N 22,000, N 15,000, etc. according to their status. Some of them are PhD, MSc, BSc degree holders.
These casual staff raised their voices by a way of writing many letters to the government of the day. They were heard.
To further prove that their cries were heard by the Executive Governor of Oyo State, the White Paper released to the institution recommended and sanctioned their immediate regularization; this could be fund in recommendations 36 & 37 of the government White Paper released last year.
However, the regularization is to be carried out upon the coming of the Governing Council.
Since last year, a new Governing Council has been put in place. In fact, the institution now has a new Acting Management. If the motive of both the Council and Management is not to keep these casual staff in perpetual slavery, why have they not regularized their appointment? Is this act not a flagrant disregard of the Government direct as mentioned in Recommendations 36 and 37?
The body regulating the affairs o all Polytechnics in Nigeria (NBTE) do visit the institution whenever it is time for accreditation. Could it be that the body is aware that these people are used for accreditation, given fake appointment and promotion letters but dump them once the exercise is over and they decide not to act or say anything about it? It is gathered that another accreditation is coming very soon, what is the fate of these casual staff? Will both the Council and Management watch while their future is wasted?
The Governor of the state is appreciated for his positive posture towards making life liveable for his people. Also, it will be positive addition to the numerous achievements of our dear governor, Engr. Abiodun Seyi Makinde if these casual workers could be delivered from this modern day slavery soon enough.
