Akwa Ibom poly denies allegation of employment racketeering, sourcing equipment for NBTE accreditation
The Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic has denied allegations of borrowing equipment to obtain accreditation by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) for courses offered.
In a statement signed by Mr Iniobong Dominic Ebong, Deputy Registrar/Secretary to Council, and made available to journalists in Uyo Monday, the management of the institution as well debunked allegations of employment racketeering.
The authorities of the school were responding to the allegations published in local tabloids, saying it was necessary to put the records straight.
The statement read, “Our attention has been drawn to the publications on page 4 of The Crest Newspaper of Monday, September 5, 2022, with the caption “Employment Racketeering Rocks Akwapoly” and at its page 10 publication of Monday, September 12, 2022, captioned “Accreditation: NBTE May Sanction Akwapoly Over Borrowed Equipment” and at page 8 of The Eyes Newspaper of September 13, 2022, captioned “Akwapoly Civil Engineering Department axed” It is necessary to state clearly that the allegations in those publications are false, untrue and misleading.
“In 2022, the Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic presented 18 (eighteen) programmes for accreditation/re-accreditation, and the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) in a letter with Ref. No. B/PRO/SP.21/VOL.II/429 of 5th August 2022 signed by Arc. Ngbede Ogoh, Director, Polytechnic Programmes for the Executive Secretary conveyed its approval granting accreditation to all the 18 (eighteen) programmes presented by the institution for the usual period of (5) five years with effect from the 2021/2022 academic session. The NBTE equally dispatched the same approval document directly to His Excellency, The Governor of Akwa Ibom State.
“At its 14th regular meeting held on the 5th September 2022, the Governing Council directed Management to arrange for the resource inspection/verification visitation within one month and the Management has initiated immediate compliance. In respect of the allegations that the institution borrowed equipment for the accreditation exercise, we encourage the purveyors of such falsity to visit the respective departments for inspection of the immovable equipment that had since been installed long before the accreditation exercise.
“In conclusion, we challenge whoever cares to confirm from the office of the Accountant General of Akwa Ibom State the correct amount approved by the State government for the entire accreditation exercise. The outcome will certainly shock the editors of these criminal libels”.
