By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has said it will sanction five Federal Polytechnics over their refusal to honour its invitation to give account of their budget performances.
Chairman House Committee on Polytechnics and Other Higher Technical Education, Rep. Fuad Kayode Laguda issu3d the threat speaking after the failed planned meeting of the Committee on Wednesday, in Abuja.
The Committee Chairman said that, the managements of Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Imo State; Federal Polytechnic Ohodo, Enugu State; Federal Polytechnic Oko, Anambra State; Federal Polytechnic Akanu Ibiam, Ebonyi State and the Federal Polytechnic Isouchi, Abia State, all failed to honour the invitation for the meeting slated for Wednesday, November 20, 2024.
Laguda said, “This is the first time that we are having such regrettably action from any Polytechnic in Nigeria. We’ve overtime covered schools both physically and we’ve also visited National Assemblies, North West, South West, North Central, North East. It’s surprising that schools from the South East bluntly refused to honour the invite of the National Assembly. The only school that came here today, after we have waited for an hour and half. The meeting was called for 12 O’clock.
“The Rector of the Federal Polytechnic in Abia State strolled in singlehandedly without any document whatsoever saying that he is coming for a meeting with us.We assure these Polytechnics that, relevant laws empowered on us would be imposed on them in due course.
“Section 89 and 129 empowers the National Assembly to investigate, procure evidence; require the evidence to be given on oath; summon anyone to give evidence or produce documents; and issue a warrant to compel the attendance of any such witness”.
Naijablitznews.com reports that the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges Act) clearly provided that, “A Legislative House or Committee shall have power to summon any person in Nigeria to come and testify,give account,tender a document or any other record in evidence,in the possession or under control of that person as provided in the First Schedule to this Act”.
The Committee had earlier visited some of the Federal Polytechnics and met with some others at the National Assembly Complex due to some genuine reasons that prevented it from visiting their campuses.
The Committee had last week the Federal Polytechnic Bauchi, Federal Polytechnic Kaltungo,Gombe State; Federal Polytechnic Kauran Namoda; and Federal Polytechnic Bali Taraba State due to insecurity in the areas.
It has also weeks ago met with the Rectors and management teams of Federal Polytechnic Nasarawa; Federal Polytechnic Shendam, Plateau State and have visited a host of others across the country as part of its oversight function.