The Federal Government has approved the establishment of the Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas in Bonny, Rivers State as it seeks to improve access to tertiary education in Nigeria.
A statement issued by the Special Assistant to the Supervising Minister of Education, Mr. Simeon Nwakaudu said the new school also received a N1 billion take off grant to commence operations.
The statement disclosed that President Jonathan also approved the appointment of Professor Elijah Tamuno Iyagba as Rector, and Mr. Willabo A. Gilbert as Registrar.
“The President further approved the appointment of Mr Akpomeyoma Gabriel as Bursar and Mr Ata John Woke Ajala as Polytechnic Librarian,” the statement read.
Polytechnic lecturers in the country, under the aegis of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) have been on strike for nine months now.
The union’s demands include the release of the white paper on Visitation Panel to Federal Polytechnics and implementation of the NEED Assessments of Nigerian Polytechnics.
ASUP also wants an improvement in the state of government-owned polytechnics, monotechnics and colleges of technology.
The union wants a full implementation of the Consolidated Tertiary Institution Salary Structure (CONTISS 15) and a stop to alleged discrimination against holders of Higher National Diploma.
With the impasse between the union and government far from being resolved, one would wonder if now is the right time for the creation of more polytechnics. The Supervising Minister of Education, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike however thinks now is the best time for creation of the new polytechnic, with the statement quoting him as lauding the establishment of the school.