Rita Odafe
A directive from the House of Representatives Committee on Public Assets has put a stop to the allocation and sale of properties belonging to Kaduna Polytechnic. This decision came after the committee reviewed a petition filed by current and retired staff of the Polytechnic.
Various properties owned by the Polytechnic in Kaduna, including land, staff quarters, and guest houses, were being sold to both staff and non-staff members of the institution. Subsequently, the committee has summoned key figures like the Rector of Kaduna Polytechnic, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, and the Head of the Presidential Implementation Committee, along with representatives from various staff unions for an investigative hearing.
The petitioners accused the management of Kaduna Polytechnic of unauthorized actions, claiming that sections of their land were being carved out and sold without proper documentation or government remittance. They expressed concern that many staff members were unaware of these transactions, potentially jeopardizing the future operations of the institution.
The Committee has temporarily suspended any further allocation of land and staff quarters to non-staff members pending the outcome of the investigation into the alleged misconduct. They emphasized the importance of preserving these resources for the benefit of future staff and students.
The issue stemmed from a prior legal dispute over the leasing of Kaduna Polytechnic properties, which was resolved through an out-of-court settlement. This resolution explicitly stated that non-staff members were not entitled to purchase or lease any of the institution’s properties.
Despite this resolution, the petitioners claimed that properties intended for lease were sold to non-staff members, while many staff members remained unaware of the ongoing transactions. They cited instances where their land plots were sold without their consent and the proceeds were not deposited into the government account as required.
In a hearing, it was revealed that certain individuals involved in the transactions had misled the committee regarding their knowledge of the sales. The petitioners stressed the lack of transparency in the process and the disregard for established guidelines.
