Akwa ibom state poly and college embark on strike

The non - academic staff of three state -owned tertiary institutions in Akwa Ibom State , Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua ; College of Education, Afaha Nsit , and Akwa Ibom State College of Art and Science , have embarked on a three- day warning strike following the non -implementation of their 65 years retirement age and non - payment of their promotion arrears .
The protesters on Thursday carried placards bearing various inscriptions like “65 years retirement age is implemented for non - teaching staff in Cross River College of Health Technology and College of Education, Akwa Ibom State Government implement our own.
“ Government pay the balance of 7 . 5 % contributory pension , those in service need it. The retirees including those in the grave need this money . ”
Speaking with newsmen , the chairman , SSANIP , Emmanuel Ekpo said shutting down of the school gate , the protest became necessary after many years of pleas with the state government and all stakeholders in the education sector.
He added that apart from the non -implementation of 65 years retirement age for non - teaching staff and non - payment of 2014 promotions and payment of arrears by the state government , Ekpo listed other conditions to be fulfilled by the state government before members would call off the strike action .
The conditions, according to him , are the refund of the balance of 7 . 5 % contributory pension to staff who are still in service and retired and payment of full salary and allowances of principal staff of the Institutions.
He said , “ It is quite disheartening that our workers , the proverbial birds that lay the Golden eggs has suffered this negligence for a long while without the government to chart a way forward for us , we want an enabling environment so that we can deliver our services . ”
Also , the chairman of NASU , Mr . Samuel Essiet , called on the state government to come to the aid of their members .