Polytechnic of misery

Heritage Polytechnic, Ikot Udota, in Eket   Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom is in a shamble, the Proprietor of the institution has lamented. Apart from the bad roads that have become the signature of all roads leading to the polytechnic, other infrastructure are in various stages of dilapidation which, our reporter gathered has seriously affected academic activities in the school. The Rector, Mr. Udoyiu Udoyiu dropped the hint during the matriculation ceremony of the school last weekend.  The Rector noted that the school has had a rough time with NDDC who have abandoned many projects they were supposed to carry out and complete according to specifications, but explained that the Commission has failed woefully in their responsibilities.

Enumerating the shortcomings in the institution, the Rector, expressed dismay over the turbulence and frustrations that have been meted out on them by NDDC including a borehole project which has been abandoned over fifteen years and the roads which he described as the worst in Nigeria. He stressed that the poor nature of the roads has caused its users’ heartaches and untold hardship thereby leading to mishaps most of the times. Those who confided in our reporter also narrated the ugly experience they have encountered in the roads. A passerby who did not want his name on print lamented that he once lost some of his personal effects on one of the roads as he made attempt to wade through its rough and bumpy terrain. “This road has brought so much hardship and tears to us. In fact, when it rains, we can’t step out of our homes as flood normally takes over the whole place. I want to plead with those to whom this project was awarded to come to our rescue before the situation gets worse.’’

Further investigations by THE INK revealed that the state of the roads linking the school is in bad shape which, if left unattended to may lead to a major disaster as has been recorded already.

More findings by our reporter reveled that academic, social and commercial activities have suffered on account of the road. This, we learnt, have led to students having to either wade through the bad road or make a detour which, in itself, is not the best option as they are often confronted by street urchins and touts who are always on the prowl. Those who spoke with our reporter urged the government to come to their aid as soon as possible to reverse their suffering.

Speaking at the occasion, the Rector of the School, Mr Udoyiu Udoyiu disclosed that the occasion of the 2014/2015 matriculation ceremony in Eket included the National Diploma and Higher National Diploma students.
He advised the matriculating students to be of good character and behavior, shun cultism and exam malpractice in any form and guise shall not be tolerated.

“Matriculation, as we all know, is the concluding part of admission formalities in tertiary institutions.

“As you are about to be officially inducted into Heritage Polytechnic’s family, it is imperative to warn you all that cultism and exam malpractice will not be condone,’’ he warned.

He said the polytechnic had not only provided all needed facilities on campus to facilitate learning but also engaged highly competent professionals in their various fields of specialties in all the programmes.

 Udoyiu said that the National Board for Technical Education had approved 32 accredited programmes for the institution.

“These courses, which are mostly at the higher National Diploma level, are germane to the technological and modern day economic requirement. In total, 2,228 students were matriculated into the school. 

“Available records show that no polytechnic in Nigeria has ever attained this feat in her six years of operations,’’ Udoyiu said.
He said that the polytechnic had put everything on ground to train quality manpower for the economy.

In his remark, Mr Emmanuel Ekott, the founder of the institution said that Heritage Polytechnic is the biggest polytechnic in Akwa Ibom with over 32 accredited programmes.

He said the institution was committed to ensuring the sustainability of hegemonic profiles and remarkable standards.
Ekott also lamented that the polytechnic had the worst roads in Nigeria, saying that the road construction which was awarded to Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) some five years ago has remained undone till date.

“Ikot Udota community has suffered untold hardship and frustration from NDDC having frustrated them with abandoned water project some 15 years ago.

“Sadly, the condition of the polytechnic road has become unbearable thereby subjecting the affected people to teeth-gnashing experience and untold hardship,’’ he said.

He appealed to the Managing Director of NDDC to use his good office to revisit the contract and mobilize contractors to site.