Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu has expressed disappointment in the National Board for Technical Education for deregistering the state polytechnic.
The governor, who also appealed to students of the institution to be calm over the matter, said a taskforce has been set up to resolve the matter.
In a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Barr Chris Ezem, the state government said it “views the decision of NBTE against the institution as very embarrassing and capable of destabilising the current peace and harmony existing in the state, as the fate of the students of the institution appears to be jeopardised by the said action.
“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, the government hereby announces the immediate dissolution and suspension of the council and management of the institution respectively.
“In line with the foregoing, the government has approved the constitution of a 6-man taskforce to restore the Accreditation of Abia Poly within 30 days”.
According to the statement, members of the taskforce includes Prof. Ikechi Mgboji as the Chairman and Mr Stanley Nwankpa, the school Student Union Government President as member, among others.
Meanwhile, the institution’s Rector, Prof. Okorie Kalu Osonwa, has assured the students of the government’s commitment to promptly resolve the issues of deaccreditation.
Addressing the students on Wednesday, Prof. Osonwa informed them that the polytechnic management was in talks with the state government to look for ways to resolve the issue.
He, therefore, urged the students not to be carried away by stories online, assuring that the issue will soon be resolved. He further advised them to continue with their academic activities.
It would be recalled that the NTBE revoked the accreditation of the institution over the Institution’s failure to pay staff salaries and allowances for over 30 months.