The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) of Nigerian Institute of Leather Science Technology (NILEST) Samaru Zaria, Kaduna State, has for the 11th time, embarked on strike action to demand for full implementation of Polytechnics scheme and condition of service in the institution as approved by the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology.

Chairman of the chapter, Comrade Abdulkarim Ismail Muhammad who addressed journalists on the strike on Wednesday, explained that the Institute is awarding National and Higher National Diploma just like any other polytechnic in the country.

He explained that the strike they embarked upon now was the 11th time yet, there was no positive response from the management of the institute.

He therefore called on all stakeholders from the Federal Ministry of science and Technology and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to hasten the process of resolving the lingering crisis especially the aspect of the migration in salary structure.

The Chairman also demanded for proper funding of the Institute to provide for training materials so as to ensure quality in the students produced by the Institute. He pointed out that the Institute was the only leather training school in the whole of sub-Saharan Africa.

On their next line of action, the Chairman expressed optimism in the ministry’s capability in solving the crisis but they might resort to legal action in pressing their demand.

The protesting workers locked the main entrance of the Institute carrying placards with different inscriptions. The management of the Institute had on Monday, announced the closure of the school, even as the student were to start their examination that day.