Polytechnic student bodies gives 21 ultimatum, threaten to shut down office of the head of civil service over HND/ B.Sc dichotomy( Photos)

The coalition of National Association of Polythecnic Students (NAPS) and Polythecnic Graduates Association, has issued 21days ultimatum to the Office of the Head of Civil Service of Federation (OHSCSF) to issue implementation Circular to the Federal Government White Paper approved by Executive Council (FEC) in September 2006 which directs the removal of undue dichotomy and ceiling grade level and rank attainable by HND.

The National President, NAPS, Sunday Asuku on Monday disclosed this during a World Press Conference jointly organised by NAPS and Polythecnic Graduates Association of Nigeria in Abuja.

Asuku in his statement also demanded that proposed caeer progression cadre for technologists in engineering submitted by Council of Registered Engineers of Nigeria(COREN) for approval and integration into civil service scheme be approved by OHCSF adding that the civil service clearly stated and empower professional bodies to recommend carrier progression structure for her members.

Asuku  went on to say that one of the reasons for the demand is that Nigerian borders remain closed and the purpose of such patriotic action is only achievable if Nigeria’s professional technologist in engineering and technology base institutions such as polythecnics are restructured with independent carrier progression cadre and reform with good funding respectively.

The student leader said “We are aware that the continued discrimination, stigmatization and undue stagnation of HND holders on Grade Level 14 is being masterminded and perpetrated by the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) through the non implementation of Federal Government decisions in favour of HND holders, especially the White Paper and this Proposed Technologist in Engineering Career Progression Cadre”.

On his part, the Spoke Person,  Polythecnic Graduates Association of Nigeria, Salahudeen Lukman expressed dissatisfaction over non compliance of OHCSF over the years since approval by Federal Executive Council.

He stressed that the subject matter has been in the front burner of the association as far back as 1992 adding that the successive leadership of NAPS have been agitating until 2006 when former President Olusegun Obasanjo made the declaration.

“We are confident and clearly informed that some people has formed cabal in OHCSF to ensure that this policy is not implemented because the competency embeded on HND holders in Public Service as they knew if the level playing ground is being given some of them will be relegated to the background and they’ll not be to have that seniority they’ve enjoyed over the HND holders in the Public Service”. He revealed.