FIC Report (Abia State) – The Task Force On The Restoration Of Accreditation Of the Abia State Polytechnic, Aba has submitted its report to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu.
Receiving the report from the Task Force at the Governor’s Lodge, Aba, Governor Ikpeazu assured that he will study the recommendation with a view to implementing same.
While congratulating the Task Force for a job well done, Governor Ikpeazu said that the issue of staff rationalization must continue unabated and urged students of the Polytechnic to always hold the Management accountable.
According to the Governor, the major challenges facing the Institution are the ability of the Management to match their expenses with their income, and the need to consistently increase the student population.
He challenged Management and Council of Abia State Polytechnic to sit up and reaffirmed that his government will continue to pay subventions of the Polytechnic which is the statutory obligation the government owes all Tertiary Institutions. The Governor made it clear that his administration does not owe the Institution any subventions.
Presenting the report to the Governor earlier, the Chairman of the Task Force, Professor Ikechi Mgbeoji said that the deaccreditation of Abia State Polytechnic few months ago came as a rude shock and expressed gratitude to the Governor for providing the sum of Four Hundred and Fifty Million Naira with which the Polytechnic was bailed out.
He disclosed that the Task Force verified Staff of the Polytechnic as well as paid their salaries in addition to identifying the challenges confronting the Polytechnic and proffering solutions to them.
Further to the restoration of accreditation to Abia State Polytechnic Aba by the National Board of Technical Education (NBTE), the Governor, Dr Okezie Victor Ikpeazu has directed the immediate recall of the suspended members of the Governing Council and Management of the Polytechnic.
Government directs Members of the Governing Council and Management to ensure strict and prudent financial Management of the Institution finances. They should take steps to prune down excess wage bills and endeavour to engage in meaningful income generating ventures that will boost the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the Institution in order to facilitate prompt and regular payment of Workers salary.
The Management is further directed to put in place sustainable plans for academic growth and institutional best practices for the Polytechnic.
The Commissioner for Basic Education Chief Ukwu Rocks Emma, Commissioner for Post Basic Education, Sir Isreal Mark, Commissioner for Information & Strategy counterpart, Dr Eze Chikamnayo, Commissioner for Homeland Security, Hon Sopuruchi Bekee, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Okey Ahiwe, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Mr Eze Ajuzie and Members of the Task Force were present during the presentation of the report.
