SSANIP calls on FG to profile lasting solutions to insecurity in Nigeria
By Peter Usman://
Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics, SSANIP, has frowned at the sporadic terror attacks around the country; urging the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency do something positive that would avert the situation now and in the future.
This is contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the 67th General Executive Council Meeting, GEC of the SSANIP held at the Federal Polytechnic, Nasarawa, Nasarawa state, North Central Nigeria.
The association therefore condemned the recent attack on Abuja-Kaduna rail track by terrorists, where 970 passengers were on board the train, which led to the death of many passengers, with many kidnapped, while others were seriously injured.
According to the communiqué, “The Council found the accompanying reports of loss of lives of Nigerians of the reported bomb attack, not only disturbing but a death too many.
“While expressing a sincere condolence to the families of the bereaved, Council wishes to impress it upon the Federal Government of Nigeria to endeavour to justify the huge budgetary provision in the security sector of the country by fishing out these enemies of the state in good time”
On the release of condition and scheme of service, the Council frowned at the manner in which government is delaying the release of the condition and scheme of service for the Polytechnics and Colleges of Technology.
The Council therefore called on the federal government to expedite action in the release of the document for the smooth running of the Polytechnics System in the country.
The Council, while deliberating on the Nigerian’s dwindling oil economy equally noted that the inability of the country to refine its petroleum products, thereby relying almost exclusively on importation of refined petroleum products makes it impossible for Nigeria to latch unto this opportunity with analysis and experts estimating the loss due to oil theft to be about 35% of daily extracted crude oil.
“The Council is obliged to join its voice with those of patriotic Nigerians and call for a declaration of a state of emergency in the sector. The loss of about $6 billion (or about 400,000 barrels) per day is not only humongous, but catastrophic for a country riddled with poor infrastructure.
The Council therefore, implore the Federal Government to muster enough political will, re-invigorate its war against corruption and resolve to tackle this menace via a strong –will, backed by the deployment of technology to check this economic bleeding in the overall interest of the country and its development.
On the lingering issue of HND/B.SC dichotomy, the SSANIP commended the National Assembly for painstakingly seeing the HND/B.SC dichotomy Bill to a logical conclusion.
While the bill is currently awaiting assent, the union however called on President Muhammadu Buhari to expedite actions on the signing of the Bill into law in the interest of the growth and development of the Polytechnic education.