The House of Representatives Committee on Polytechnics and Other Higher Technical Education has raised concerns over the Federal Polytechnic in Ugep, Cross River State, after it was reported that the institution spent N600 million on salaries and overhead costs in just one budget cycle despite having only 142 students.
Key Highlights:
High Spending: Despite enrolling just 142 students, the polytechnic’s personnel costs amounted to nearly N500 million, with an additional N159 million spent on overheads.
Staffing Issues: The polytechnic employs 154 academic and non-academic staff, a number that exceeds its student population.
Questionable Expenditures: A committee member described the spending as “unsustainable” and raised doubts about the justification for such high costs relative to the small student body.
Rector’s Defense: The Rector, Edward Okey, defended the budget by explaining that part of the N2 billion start-up grant was used to renovate abandoned buildings at the Ugep Community Secondary School, which temporarily served as the polytechnic’s campus. He also mentioned that several projects are underway at the permanent site.
Ongoing Challenges: The rector noted the difficulty in attracting both students and staff to Ugep, due to negative stigmas associated with the town.
The committee, led by Chairman Fouad Laguda, expressed disappointment, pointing out that no polytechnic from the South-South region met expectations during the oversight visit.
Delayed Salaries of Polytechnic Staff:
Meanwhile, the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Polytechnics (SSANIP) has voiced concerns about the delay in salary payments for federal polytechnic staff.
The delay is linked to the ongoing migration from the Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) to the Government Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS). SSANIP highlighted the financial hardship caused by these delays, urging the Minister of Finance and the Accountant-General to address the issue promptly.
Stay informed with NIGPOST for more updates on this developing issue.
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