NATE tasks A’Ibom govt over HND, B.Sc dichotomy
Isaac Job, Uyo
The Vice President, Nigerian Association of Technologists in Engineering (NATE) for the South- South zone, Mr. Dominic Udoatan, has urged the Akwa Ibom state government to expedite action and remove the dichotomy between HND holders and B.Sc. holders in the state civil service.
Udoatan disclosed this at the weekend when he led his executive committee members on a courtesy visit to the Deputy Governor, Mr. Moses Ekpo at Government House, Uyo
He said the engineers were in Government House to inform the deputy governor on the hosting of the first ever South-South zonal conference/annual general meeting and induction ceremony tagged: “Technology in the 21st century, the Nigerian experience.”
The vice president appealed to the state government to see the need for full implementation of the circular on the abolition of HND / B.Sc. dichotomy that was effected on March 26, 2018 by the head of service of the federation.
“Unfortunately, we have observed that our dear state is yet to implement the said circular. We hereby appeal to the governor of the state to mandate appropriate quarters to implement.
“The circular letter No.HCSF/SPSO/ODD/NCE:100/S.8/T on the review of salary entry point for holders of the Higher National Diploma (HND) in the civil service was adopted by the Akwa Ibom state civil service through the Department of Establishment circular No. 5/2018 dated December 11, 2018,” Udoatan said,
He expressed displeasure that in spite of the adoption, HND holders in the state were being stagnated at salary Grade level 14 while their counterparts in neighbouring states of Cross River, Rivers, Edo have their promotion to the next grade level.
Responding, the deputy governor pledged the resolve of the state government to support issues that would have direct impact on the socio- economic development of the state.
Ekpo noted with delight the emergence of the state as a destination of choice due to the provision of the necessary infrastructure by the government.
He urged the leadership of the professional body to reach out to their colleagues in the ministries of works, science and technology and that of transport to allow for mass mobilization of members and support from the affected ministries to ensure the successful hosting of the conference in the state.
