The Federal Government has announced the resolution of the three-month-long labour crisis at the Federal Polytechnic, Ekowe, Bayelsa State, paving the way for academic activities to resume on October 6.
The Minister of Education, Dr. Tunji Alausa, disclosed this after a mediation meeting held on September 29 in Abuja with the management, governing council, and union leaders of the institution.
The polytechnic, located in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, had been shut down since July 11 following a face-off between the Rector, Dr. Agbabiaka Lukman, and the institution’s three unions: the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics, and the Non-Academic Staff Union.
Speaking after the resolution, Alausa said the government intervened to restore normalcy.
“We have listened carefully to all sides of the dispute. Our priority is to ensure that the students return to school without further delay. I am pleased to announce that normal academic activities will resume on October 6,” the minister said.
As part of the agreement, the minister directed the governing council to set up a new investigative panel to look into the allegations raised against the Rector. The panel is expected to submit its findings within three weeks.
A union representative, who attended the meeting, said the outcome was “a welcome relief” after months of tension.
“We are satisfied that the government has finally listened to our concerns. The suspension of the Rector pending the outcome of the investigation is key to restoring industrial harmony,” the union leader stated.
The workers had earlier accused the Rector of violating the Polytechnic Act by taking unions to court over labour disputes, a matter they argued was under the purview of the governing council.
While the school’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Nimizuo Pereseigha, declined comment when contacted, the unions confirmed that they would comply with the October 6 resumption directive.
