The unwarranted career discrimination against holders of the Higher National Diploma (HND) comes from the office of the Head of Service of the Federation, stakeholders have said.
The stakeholders, under the aegis of the Coalition of HND stakeholders Consultative Meeting said previous occupiers of the office of Heads of Service (HoS) have consistently refused to implement a White Paper which the Federal Executive Council approved in 2006.
Mr Sebastian Onyeomabi, the group Coordinator apportion the blame at a news conference in Abuja on Thursday, when presenting a Communique issued at the end of the Coalition of HND Stakeholders’ Consultative Meeting held in March.
Onyeomabi said that the coalition is giving the HoS a four-weeks ultimatum within which to issue circular on the implementation of the government’s White Paper relating to the HND dichotomy.
He said that the undue dichotomy and ceiling on grade level/rank attainable by HND holders should be removed.
According to him, HND certificate holders from recognised polytechnics accredited by NBTE should be integrated into relevant officers and Professional cadres as directed in the approved white paper to enable them progress to higher grades up to level 17.
“FEC approved the decision on the white paper since 2006 which was reaffirmed by FEC on March 14, 2007 and June 6, 2018.
“We are aware that the continued discrimination, stigmatisation and undue stagnation of HND holders on GL. 14 is being perpetrated by the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, through non-implementation of the Federal Government decision in favour of HND holders.
“We are saying that the HND holders, who are due for promotion should be allowed to take part in the next promotion exercise for vacant positions in the respective professional cadre.
“The coalition hereby put on notice that all HND holders in public service, HND graduates, technologist, trade unions covering HND holders and other stakeholders should remain calm and wait for further instructions after the four-weeks ultimatum given to the HoS,” he said.
Meanwhile, the National President, Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ), Mr Chris Isiguzo, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to look into the issue in order to avert any form of protest.
“This is going to be a very serious movement because there is no way a certain group of people will continue to enjoy leaving other groups behind.
“It is unacceptable to NUJ and we want to send signal to HoS that we are not going to take this lying low.
“This time around, we are going to mobilise our students and members across the country to occupy the office of HoS until they do the needful,” he said.
He further appealed to Buhari to call the office of the HoS to order before the expiration of the four weeks ultimatum. (NAN)
