The House of Representatives Committee on Polytechnics and other Technical Institutions has faulted the record of spending by the Federal Polytechnic Idah, in Kogi state, giving its management 10 days to provide detailed documents of on-going projects.
This directive was issued by Chairman Hon. Fuad Kayode-Laguda after the institution’s officials, led by Rector Prof. Yahaya Usman Usman, and other officials before the Committee, after interrogating the documents presented which members said fell short of what was required by the Committee.
The lawmakers also discovered infractions regarding the observance of the Federal Character principles in the staff composition on the Nominal Role presented to the Committee.
Hon. Kayode-Laguda emphasized the need for urgent correction, saying, “We noticed a shortfall of indexes of Federal Character… very soon, some employment opportunities will come up, and the corrections will start happening.”
The committee found the presented documents lacking and requested additional information, specifically regarding budget lines. Hon. Kayode-Laguda clarified that this is a standard procedure, stating, “It’s just explaining their budget line that we asked for. So, it’s not anything out of place.”
Speaking to journalists after the session, Kayode-Laguda said they gave the Polytechnic officials 10 working days to bring the documents required.
He said, “We invited Federal Polytechnic Idah Kogi state and Federal Polytechnic Shendam Plateau state. But, unfortunately, Federal Polytechnic Shendam didn’t come prepared, and we couldn’t host them today. The chairman stressed that the rector’s presence is mandatory for discussions.
“They have not met the standards expected by us in terms of their reporting which we have given them another 10 working days to make available those documents to us. Basically, it’s just explaining their budget line that we asked for, so, it’s not anything out of place.”
Responding to questions from journalists, the Rector said, “The interaction was very smooth. Of course, when you face a Committee like this that is carrying out their statutory function, it is more or less interviews, investigations and all these things, assuring that they will comply as requested by the panel.”
Regarding the oversight visit, Prof. Usman Usman mentioned that security concerns necessitated the postponement. He explained, “The letter written to us… mentioned security reasons, so we understand we have to come back.”
On the alleged Federal Character violation, the rector argued that implementation was challenging due to the institution’s location. He stated, “Most people employed from the far north, from the West will not come… So, indigenes have to fill in these gaps.”
The committee’s actions demonstrate its commitment to ensuring accountability and transparency in polytechnics and technical institutions.