The Abia State House of Assembly Committee on Education has presented it’s report on the relocation on the Abia State Polytechnic, Aba during Plenary, Tuesday.
News Admiral recalled that during Plenary on the 16th of April, 2024, the Committee on Education was directed to interface with the Management of the Institution, following a Matter of Urgent Importance presented by Hon Iheanacho Nwogu, Member, Osisioma Ngwa North State Constituency, on the incessant occurrence of accidents in front of the Abia State Polytechnic.
The Chairman of the Committee on Education and Leader of the House, Hon Okoro Uchenna Kalu during the presentation of report stated that on the 27th of April, during an On the Spot Assessment visit, made some findings which include as follows:
That the Main Campus of the Polytechnic at Aba-Owerri Road cannot be closed down and relocated to the satellite campus, rather some Department and Faculties in the Institution could be relocated to the satellite campus in order to decongest the Main Campus;
That the morale of Staff of the Polytechnic were boosted since the inception of the present Administration of Governor Alex Otti following the priority given to their welfare, especially prompt payment of salaries;
That many buildings of the satellite campus at Osisioma were completed and ready to be used for lectures but could not be presently put to use as a result of non availability of social amenities like electricity, water and other facilities in the Campus;
That the Polytechnic recorded massive increase in the enrollment of students in the 2024 academic session which resulted from the huge number of graduands that were mobilized for the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) from the Institution in 2024;
That there were shortages of lecture halls and office spaces at the Main Campus which adversely affected the productivity of both staff and students of the Polytechnic;
That the Rector’s Lodge was in total ruin as a result of neglect by the previous Management of the Polytechnic;
That the Polytechnic was over dependent on the State Government for funds and needed to diversify it’s revenue sources in order to perform better;
That the previous Management of the Polytechnic mismanaged TETFUND accessed, among others.
The Hon Okoro Uchenna Kalu led Committee recommended among others that the Abia State Polytechnic should as a matter of urgency liaise with the Ministry of Works to build speed breakers in order to forestall further loss of lives;
The Attorney General of Abia State should as a matter of necessity rejig the Edict establishing Abia State Polytechnic and forward same to the House for Legislative action;
The pedestrian bridge in front of the Institution should be fortified and put to use as a measure to minimize the dangers of crossing the highway;
The Management of the Institution should think outside the box with regards to other innovative areas of sourcing for funds to enable the Institution function optimally;
The Management must renovate the Rector’s Lodge to enhance productivity among others.
The Speaker, Rt Hon Emmanuel Emeruwa said the need is paramount to rejig the Edict given the enormous powers wielded by the Governing Council which has consistently led to friction with Management, particularly in the area of fund appropriation and urged the relevant authority to do what is needful for forestall unnecessary altercations.
The Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon Augustine Okezie, Chief Whip, Hon Emeka Obioma, Hon Ume Mathias among other Members of the Education Committee signed the Report.
HENRY MADUBUIKE
Director Information, ABHA.
