Imo State Polytechnic, Umuagwo, in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area is in turmoil again as the gladiators are enmeshed in crisis of confidence and mutual mistrust over the sum of N160m being money made available to the institution for accreditation and other purposes.
The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics, ASUP, Imo Poly Chapter blew open the information that the acting Rector of the institution, Rev Fr, Dr Wence Madu allegedly misappropriated the sum of N160m released to the school for certain purposes. The ASUP in a communiqué issued at the end of an emergency meeting among other things complained of the ill manner the amount was utilised which the body said was totally unsatisfactory.
In the statement signed by Ethelbert Nnodimele and Agbasi Uchenna M, Imo Poly ASUP Chairman and General Secretary, respectively, the body said the method of expenditure of the over N160m funded by the Imo government for accreditation and other purposes has been described as totally unsatisfactory. All the projects are undertaken by the Rector and his cohorts without regard to the relevant Directors and HODs. Meanwhile, the Rector has reported to the Academic Board that the funds are almost exhausted and that he is ready records of his expenditures to whoever is interested. It is now clear that the secrecy shrouding the expenditures and other unilateral actions are neither in line with, nor serve the Rescue Agenda of Imo State Government. It was also noted that advice was not sought from our internal experts
The polytechnic teachers who also petitioned other relevant bodies in the state concerning the manner the money was utilised demanded that the Rector is to explai8n the ways and means of contracting/Direct Labour for the over N160m meant for both accreditation/resource inspection and other projects funded by the state government adding that the till date only few HODs have received any monies related to the accreditation/resource inspection.
Worried by the petition to government concerning the manner, Fr Madu is running the affairs of the institution that was converted to a Polytechnic from a monotechnic status, the Imo State House of Assembly has waded into the matter to verify the veracity or otherwise of the allegation. After receiving a petition on the matter, the Ben Uwajimogu led House is expected to lead other members to a fact finding mission to Imo Poly.
