The House of Representatives has uncovered abuses of the Federal Character principle, extra-budgetary spending, and recurring issues of abandoned and uncompleted projects in some federal polytechnics across Nigeria.
The findings emerged during an oversight session by the House Committee on Polytechnics and Other Higher Technical Education.
Rectors and management staff from Federal Polytechnic Mubi, Adamawa State; Federal Polytechnic Monguno, Borno State; and Federal Polytechnic Damaturu, Yobe State appeared before the committee to account for their budget performance.
The committee expressed dissatisfaction with various infractions identified in the documents presented by the institutions.
During the presentation by the Rector of Federal Polytechnic Mubi, Dr Abdulrahman Ishaku, the committee discovered that several projects meant for completion within two to three years remained unfinished despite receiving adequate funding.
Fuad Laguda, the Committee Chairman, represented by Emil Inyang, decried the recurring issue of abandoned projects in the country’s polytechnics.
“This trend of non-completion of projects continues to plague our institutions despite allocated budgets,” he noted.
Meanwhile, Dr Ibrahim Babale Gashua, the Acting Rector of Federal Polytechnic Damaturu, highlighted the challenges facing the institution.
He attributed its low internally generated revenue (IGR) to insecurity in Yobe State, which has significantly reduced student enrollment and other institutional activities.
The committee promised to address the issues and ensure accountability in federal polytechnics to enhance their performance and contributions to education in Nigeria.
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