The Nigerian’s Federal House of Representatives Committee on Polytechnics and Other Higher Technical Education has issued a stern warning to five Federal Polytechnics for failing to honor its invitation to present their budget performance reports......Read The Full Article>>.....Read The Full Article>>
The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Federal Polytechnics, Rep. Fuad Kayode Laguda, has expressed disappointment over the failure of several polytechnic managements to attend a scheduled meeting with the Committee.
Speaking on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, following the aborted meeting, Rep. Laguda noted that despite being formally invited, the heads of Federal Polytechnic Nekede (Imo State), Federal Polytechnic Ohodo (Enugu State), Federal Polytechnic Oko (Anambra State), Federal Polytechnic Akanu Ibiam (Ebonyi State), and Federal Polytechnic Isouchi (Abia State) failed to honor the invitation.
“This Committee views the absence of these institutions’ representatives as a sign of disregard for legislative oversight, and it will not be tolerated,” Laguda warned.
He reiterated the importance of legislative oversight in ensuring transparency, accountability, and the smooth functioning of federal institutions, urging compliance with future invitations.
Rep. Kayode Laguda, Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Polytechnics and Higher Education, expressed disappointment over the failure of polytechnics from the South-East to honor an official invitation by the National Assembly.
He said, “This is the first time we are witnessing such regrettable action from any polytechnic in Nigeria,” Laguda remarked. “Over time, we have physically engaged with institutions across the country, visiting schools and holding sessions in various geopolitical zones, including the National Assembly, North-West, South-West, North-Central, and North-East. It is surprising and disheartening that schools from the South-East have bluntly refused to honor this invitation.”
He noted that the meeting, scheduled for 12:00 PM, saw the attendance of only one institution, and even then, the committee had to wait for over an hour and a half before proceedings could commence.
The Lawmaker comments highlight a growing concern over the lack of responsiveness by some institutions to legislative oversight, which is critical to ensuring accountability and progress in the education sector.
“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”.
The Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges Act) explicitly 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”.
It could be recalled that, the Committee had visited some of the Federal Polytechnics and met others at the National Assembly due to some genuine reasons that prevented the Committee from visiting their campuses.
The Committee had last week met with some Federal Polytechnics which the Committee cannot visit due to security reasons.
The Federal Polytechnics were; Federal Polytechnic Bauchi, Federal Polytechnic Kaltungo, Gombe State; Federal Polytechnic Kauran Namoda; Federal Polytechnic Bali Taraba State.
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.
