The Governing Council of Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku, has said that it has launched an investigation on the alleged certificate racketeering in the institution.
The Council disclosed this amidst a two-week warning strike embarked upon on Tuesday by the institution’s chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics.
The Polytechnic’s Governing Council in a statement signed by its Chairman, Paul Adingwupu, copies of which were made available to journalists in Warri on Wednesday, faulted the decision of the ASUP on embarking on two-week warning strike, describing the decision as a calculated plan to shield and to frustrate ongoing investigations into allegations of certificate racketeering, recklessness and misappropriation of funds against some principal officers.
The Governing Council alleged that the union’s leadership was being sponsored by individuals opposed to transparency and accountability.
The Council specifically accused the striking academic staff of attempting to use industrial action as a tool to blackmail the government into abandoning due process.
“the recent crisis rocking the institution was triggered by allegations of certificate, result racketeering, recklessness and misappropriation of funds involving some principal officers, including the Rector and the Registrar, which are currently being investigated by the Delta State House of Assembly after preliminary handling by the office of the Deputy Governor for the purpose of fairness and transparency.
“This strike has nothing to do with staff welfare or working conditions. It is purely an attempt to shield certain individuals from accountability. It is wrong and it will not stand,” the statement emphasised.
The Council, therefore, called on the State Government and the general public to disregard what it termed a misguided and politically motivated action by the ASUP chapter, insisting that it remained committed to upholding due process and cleansing the institution of “unwholesome practices and financial recklessness.
“We reaffirm our resolve to work for the greater good of the Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku. We will not be distracted by those who wish to frustrate reforms. Our duty is to protect the integrity of this institution, and that is exactly what we will continue to do,” the Council concluded.
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