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By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
The Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Kaduna Polytechnic (ASUP), Engr. Abubakar Jibrin Abdullahi said the Union has no idea about the highest cost and least cost of sale of carve-out and other properties of the institution sold by the management.
Corroborating aggrieved staff coordinator Dr. Zarma Jacob, the Chairman who made assertion while responding to petition written against the school management by aggrieved staff of the institutions, however alleged that everything was done in secret and most payment were not remitted to the government account.
“We don’t have idea about the highest cost and least cost. Everything is shrouded in secrecy as most payment are not remitted to the government. But by our rough estimate, they have made over twenty billion naira (N20bn)”, he stated.
Recalled that some aggrieved staff of Kaduna polytechnic, had earlier Petition the National Assembly (NASS), accusing the management of the Federal polytechnic located in Kaduna city, of illegal sale of carve -out and outright sale of the polytechnic properties, and diversion of the funds/proceeds into personal and private bank account.
A copy of letter of the petition made available to journalists in Kaduna, dated 20th June 2024, was addressed to chairman House Committee on Public Assets three Arms Zone of National Assembly (NASS), Abuja.
Contacted on its position, as the crises lingered, the ASUP Kaduna Polytechnic chapter, Engr. Abubakar Jibrin Abdullahi said the Union is totally against the school authorities over the sale of the institutions properties.
His words: “ASUP is against the sales of Kaduna polytechnic institutional properties be it within or outside the institution”, he stated.
The chairman also recalled that “At an Emergency Congress meeting held on 6th December 2022, the Congress resolved that Kadpoly institutional properties are not for sale now or in the future.
“In 2011, some staff resident in the Quarters wanted a situation where they’re given the houses as leased, but Former Minister of Housing and Urban development Mrs. Amma Peppe visited the institution when I was the General Secretary then and came up with a position in clear terms that Kaduna polytechnic institutional properties within or outside the institution is not for sale now or in the future.
“It was meant for expansion and for future development for the generation yet on born. The management then circulated it in the Institution news letter”, he emphasized.
He also stated that “This time around, the management and some of the staff resident in the quarters wanted to defraud the the institution from it asset under the pretend of Monetization policy of 2005 Lagos Nigeria”.
“The Union rose and rejected it via a letter to the Honourable Minister of Education. The permsec then replied via a letter dated 20th January 2023, that the properties are not for sale or lease.
“The same management circulated a letter Dated 26th January 2023 to all staff to comply. Unfortunately, both the management and those resident in quarters didn’t respect the directives so the Union took the matter to the Federal high court in Kaduna against the management, Government Council, Presidential implementation Committee (PIC).
Attorney general of the federation etc.
“To the best of our knowledge, Only Mr President has the power to lease or sale FGN properties, unfortunately, the management could not provide a letter from Former President Mohammed Buhari where he signed and gave the PIC under the office of the SGF to sell Kadpoly institutional properties.
“It was a calculated attempt by both parties to defraud the institution from it asset. Both the Union and members of the residents took the matter to NASS for justice.
“Unfortunately, we on fly mood and tension is mounting between some of our staff and outsiders in one hand, and also between those that were ejected in the quarters and deny from the buying. And also management of the institution”, ASUP chairman stated.
Engr. Abdullahi continue that “Historically Sir, the institution was founded by the late Sardauna of Sokoto, Sir Ahmadu Bello. The institution was a Technical institute that later change to a Polytechnic and own by the 19 Northern State.
“All properties purchase by the institution including the C-of-O of the Landed properties are still reading Kaduna polytechnic.
“There was a White paper dated 20 January 2008 that gave clarification on the properties that were purchased and originally own by an Institution as Institutional properties and are exempted from Sales/Lease .by a Presidential white paper.
“Because of my stance on the matter, the management suspended Union activities under the disguise of a factional group in May 2024, later suspended Union activities within the campus, later suspended me as a Staff, later terminated my appointment illegally.
“But all this was addressed and resolved by the immediate past Minister of Education when the National Body of our Union wrote a petition against the management.
My termination was withdrawn and was back since March 2024.
“The Union will be glad if you contact the man in charge of Freedom Radio station Kaduna. He will brief you on other things. And also Berekete Family Alhaji Ahamed Isah”, he explained.
Recalled that some aggrieved staffs petition poly management, and appealed to NASS to use their good office to ensure that justice is done in this matter and putting a stop to this carve out to have full access road to their properties.
Their prayer is that the Rector Kaduna Polytechnic Dr. Suleiman Umar, and 2 others: AbdulRahman Usman Tanko and Mr Abubakar Isa Jibrin should be suspend from office to pave way for a full scale investigation, saying they’re presently destroying some records to hinder proper investigation on this matter. End.
