The Governing Council, Abia State Polytechnic Aba said it is making serious efforts to ensure full accreditation of all programmes of the institution as a measure to stem the tide of the dwindling population of student of the Polytechnic.
Chairman of Council, Elder John Nwangborogwu, who disclosed this at a press briefing of the Council as part of a resolution towards repositioning the Polytechnic for sustainable development, said the situation calls for concern while urgent steps have to be taken to stem the tide.
He informed that the Council was poised to hold a combined convocation spanning the last 10 years latest by December 2020 and has directed the Ceremonials (Convocation) Committee to submit their report to the Council on or before 16th October 2020.
Elder Nwangborogwu, who observed that defraying salary and pension arrears was paramount in order to change the narrative of the Polytechnic, also disclosed that the Council is making efforts to ensure that part of the salary arrears and pensions are defrayed as soon as possible.
He called on all those affected by the situation to remain calm, understanding, and perseverance as the Council is in touch with the State Government to ensure that all the terms reached at the summit are kept.
“We have been engaging various Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) at the State and Federal levels for assistance. We are expecting favorable outcomes from these engagements,” he said.
“The Committee on Salary Matters has submitted their report. The outcome of their report and related matters arising from the mini-summit are being handled by the Council Committee on Staff Audit which has just been inaugurated. They are to immediately review the last rationalization exercise to address the issue of those whose termination of appointment was unfair, and undertake a rationalization exercise that will bring the work force of the institution within the limits of its available resources without jeopardizing regulatory and statutory requirements.”
The Chairman, while saying that corporate good governance is important for management efficiency for the realization of the sustainability plan of Abia State Polytechnic, and repositioning it to drive the technological and economic advancement of Aba, Abia State, and Nigeria as a whole, announced the constitution of committes such as Finance and General Purpose Committee (F&GPC), Appointment and Promotions Committee (A&PC), Committee on Staff Audit, Investigative Panel on Collection, Disbursement, and Utilization of N2bn loan, Abia State Polytechnic Business Development & Marketing Committee to that effect.
The Council further stated that having realized the need for uninterrupted, available and affordable electricity as a precondition for any sustainable plan for the Polytechnic, it is exploring other options like solar energy and gas generators (turbine which most companies use in Osisioma) to ensure “constant affordable light to learn and be online always, functioning of our e-library, to process, store, package and market our goods and services to enhance our internally generated revenue;” as it could no longer afford to be spending over N23m every year on diesel generators that keeps the institution without light most times of the day.
“This is also in line with the goal of achieving a repackaged repositioned and a self sustaining Abia State Polytechnic, Aba. This is a mission that we cannot under any circumstances allow to fail. All hands must therefore be on deck,” he added.
Other resolutions of the Council, according to Elder Nwangborogwu include: “We need a microfinance Bank to enable our marketing company, cooperatives, and entrepreneurs leverage its services. The Business Development & Marketing Committee shall pursue the realization of this project with utmost speed.
He said the Council has commenced a process to establish a Mechatronics programme in a bid to realize our automotive production vision and to produce vehicle parts, assemble tricycle, machine tools and other items and expressed the hope that the expected report of the committee set up for this purpose will serve as a guide.
“Our meetings with Aba Landlords Association and members of the private sector show that they are desirous to invest in building students hostels and other facilities in the Osisioma campus. We will continue our effort in this direction until the expected results are achieved,” further stated.
“The image of Abia State Polytechnic needs urgent rebranding and staff discipline is paramount. Therefore Council mandates Management to take issues relating to staff indiscipline very seriously most especially cases of staff extortion of students in whatever guise. Cases of blackmailing and misrepresentation of the institution by its employees will no longer be condoned. Severe disciplinary measures including dismissal will be meted to culprits. Council disciplinary committee is to ensure strict surveillance on, and enforcement of this policy.”
The Council expressed appreciation to the State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu for directing the convocation of the mini-Summit aimed at repositioning of Abia State Polytechnic noting that the summit came at the most auspicious time and we implore all stakeholders to ensure that the content of the communiqué are implemented.
Nwangborogwu said the Council also welcomed the Ag. Rector, Dr. Okorie Kalu Osonwa with the hope that he would meet their targets and excel in the revival and development of the institution even as it wished the former Rector Prof. F. Ezionye Eboh success in his future endeavors and will not forget in a hurry the spirit of camaraderie, cooperation, understanding, commitment and hardwork towards the actualization of the new vision for the emergence of the new Abia State Polytechnic as displayed by him.
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