Why FG must take over Abia poly - Sen Orji

www.odogwublog.com reports that former Governor of Abia State and the Senator representing Abia Central district, Senator Theodore Orji, has adduced more reasons the Federal Government should take over Abia Polytechnic Aba, citing justice and equity as part of the reasons.

Senator Orji made the explanations in his Umuahia constituency office yesterday  when he received in audience the leadership of labour unions in the institution who came to thank him for sponsoring a bill for the federal government to take over the institution.

He argued that justice demands that Abia should get its fair share in the distribution of federal institutions  in the country in line with the federal government's policy of establishing  one federal university, a college of education , and a polytechnic in every state.

Orji regretted that Abia has only one federal university of agriculture,hence the obvious need for the federal government to acquire  Abia Poly to give the state a sense of belonging.

The senator also said that federal government's take over of the institution would lessen the heavy financial burden in the state and provide Abians with wider opportunity of seeking higher education.

He regretted that his efforts for the federal government to acquire the institution while he was serving as governor did not yield fruit but expressed the confidence that his current efforts as a senator would be successful.

" Abia Poly is very dear to me. I fought hard as governor for the federal government to acquire it but it did not come to fruition. That is why when I became a senator and there was an opportunity to actualise the dream I took advantage of it", he said.

Senator Orji said the bill had passed through second reading , adding that  the report of the just- concluded public hearing of the bill was also " very positive", thus paving the way for its eventual passage by the senate very soon.

" I am confident that before the the end of this current senate the bill will be passed and signed into law by the President", Orji declared.

  He further explained that  it would be cheaper for the federal government to simply inherit the institution which already has facilities than go into building a new one which has more cost implications.

He , therefore , urged the staff of the institution to remain committed and prayerful until the dream was achieved.

Earlier in their remarks, Chairman Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, Comrade Godswill Uma; Senior Staff Association of Nigeria Polytechnics, Comrade Chuks Nwachukwu; and the state Chairman of the Alumni Association of the institution, Dr.Ben Iwuagwu, applauded Orji's doggedness towards upgrading the institution.

They noted that while serving as governor, Orji had upgraded the monthly subvention of  the institution from N25 million to N90 million, adding that his current efforts for the federal government's acquisition of the institution despite the fact that it is outside his senatorial district, speaks volume of his passion for the students and staff of the institution.