Ikpeazu reacts as Abia poly loses accreditation over unpaid salaries

Okezie Ikpeazu, the governor of Abia, says the decision of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) to withdraw accreditation of Abia State Polytechnic is “embarrassing”. 

On Tuesday, Fatima Abubakar, the spokesperson of the NBTE, said the accreditation was revoked due to the institution’s failure to pay staff salaries and allowances for over 30 months.

But in a statement by Chris Ezem, the secretary to the state government, Ikpeazu said the NBTE’s action is capable of jeopardising the faith of students in the institution. 

The governor disclosed that the state will constitute a 6-man task force to restore the accreditation of the polytechnic within 30 days.

Ikpeazu also announced the immediate dissolution and suspension of the council and management of the institution.

“The government views the decision of NBTE against the institution as very embarrassing and capable of destabilizing the current peace and harmony existing in the state, as the fate of the students of the institution appears to be jeopardized by the said action,” the statement reads.

“It must be placed on record that Academic activities have been ongoing in the institution without interruptions; the teachers and staff of Abiapoly were not on strike and have remained committed to their duties

“As part of the measure to reposition the institution, Government hereby announces the immediate dissolution and suspension of the council and management of the institution respectively.

“In line with the foregoing, government has approved the constitution of a 6-man taskforce to restore the Accreditation of Abia Poly within 30 days”.

On his part, Okorie Osinwa, the institution’s rector, assured the students of the government’s commitment to resolving the issue with the NBTE.