Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku Given 24-Hour Ultimatum by State Assembly Committee
ASABA/Nigeria: In a decisive move, the Delta State House of Assembly Committee on Legislative Compliance has issued a stern 24-hour directive to the management of Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku, demanding immediate action on a resolution passed by the 7th Delta Assembly in January 2023.
Chairman of the Committee and Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon Arthur Akpowowo, delivered the directive during a pivotal meeting held on Tuesday with the Polytechnic’s management team. Akpowowo emphasized that failure to adhere to the committee’s resolution would result in severe sanctions.
The Committee, comprising members such as Majority Leader Hon Emeka Nwaobi, Minority Leader Hon. Edafe Emakpor, and Deputy Majority Leader Hon Festus Okoh, expressed strong disapproval of what they termed as the “flagrant disrespect” shown by the school management towards the Delta State House of Assembly.
Amid threats to invoke relevant legislative rules, committee members urged the management team, led by Rector Prof. Emmanuel Achuenu, to furnish the committee with a letter confirming compliance within the stipulated 24-hour timeframe.
Addressing the Polytechnic’s management, Akpowowo stated, “In your letter which you sent to us, it was obvious that you were not ready to implement our resolution. Our duty as a committee is to ensure that we do justice to every case that is reported to the State Assembly. By your letter, it is evident that you do not have respect for this House. There was certainly no reason for you to have replied to us in the manner and tone as contained in your letter.”
He further added, “We have sent several letters to you. This is our last meeting with you on this matter. You have between now and tomorrow to implement our resolution, otherwise….”
In response, Prof. Emmanuel Achuenu, the Rector of the Polytechnic, expressed apologies on behalf of the management and assured compliance with the Assembly’s resolution.
The resolution, initially handed down to the school management, centered on the immediate reinstatement and reappraisal of the sanction placed on one of its staff, Mrs. Grace Adah, of the Department of Academic Planning.
Mrs. Adah, allegedly demoted to the post of Principal Assistant Registrar (P.A.R) following a dispute with the Polytechnic’s management, petitioned the State Assembly. After investigation, the Assembly directed her re-designation as Lecturer 1.
