A passionate appeal has gone to the Rivers State government under the leadership of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi through the state House of Assembly to amend the Rivers State College of Arts and Science law which bears the name “School of Basic Studies,” to reflect the change of name to its present status as a polytechnics.
In a chat with journalists during the institution’s end of year party celebration organized by the management of the institution at the institution’s campus, Rumuola, Obio/Akpor local government area of Rivers state, the chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) Rivcas branch, Barr. Independent Enyinda who noted that the college has been accredited by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) in July 2006, said it has been running six courses in both Ordinary National diploma OND and Higher National Diploma HND and wondered why the institution’s name should not be reflected as polytechnics since it has been accredited to a polytechnic status.
According to him, “we want the institution to be backed by law to reflect the institution as a polytechnic”, stressing that it would enable the institution get its right as a polytechnic and benefits accorded to it.
The Elele Alimi born lecturer and lawyer who noted that his desire for the union was to acquire residence for the members at the Greater Port Harcourt area, revealed that the institution has acquired seven hundred plots of land at greater Port Harcourt City area to build quarters for the staff of the institution to enable them live comfortably.
On the challenges facing the institution, Barr. Enyinda who is also the law of contract lecturer in the institution, noted that the institution has been facing funding challenges and infrastructural development problems.
According to him, since governor Ada George’s regime till date the institution has being funding itself through internally generated revenue which was used to pay staff salaries and other problems facing the college.
In his words “government has been preparing budget for the institution which could not work at the end of the day” adding that governor Amaechi has assured the management of the institution that they will benefit from the forth coming budget, expressing optimism that their story will change for better soon.
Earlier in his speech, the chairman of the occasion, Mr. Romeo Orubani who gave God the glory as the institution has come to stay despite all odds, noted that the institution organized the end of year party to enable staff of the institution come together and celebrate with one another before they could depart for the Christmas.
The management used the occasion to commiserate with late Dr. Ibiwari Ikiriko’s family for their son who was a lecturer of the institution before he departed, as well as other departed staff of the institution. ###
Emeka Jilly Ejiowhor
