From Chijioke Agwu, Abakaliki
The new Rector of Akanu Ibiam Federal Polytechnic, Unwanna, Afikpo, Ebonyi State, Dr Felix Attah, lamented the deplorable state of the institution.
He said the polytechnic premises was overgrown with weeds that provide refuge for dangerous reptiles and other harmful creatures.
He lamented that many buildings built with enormous resources of taxpayer money in the school were wasted because of their deplorable condition.
Attah spoke in the polytechnic during its 41st matriculation ceremony.
According to him, work ethics had also been discarded with discipline completely broken down.
He said most staff now come to work between 9:am and 11:am and go home from 3:pm.
He noted that he inherited an almost empty treasury owing to lean internally generated revenue.
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“My findings during my maiden facility tour of polytechnic were discouraging and disheartening. To my dismay, I was shocked to see buildings built with enormous resources of taxpayer’s money in very bad shape; polytechnic property and armoured cables that supply light to the students’ hostels were vandalised.
“I noted massive theft and pillage of polytechnic property as well as dilapidated buildings such as lecture halls, lecture theatres, newly-inaugurated TETFUND buildings and campus roads which were abandoned.
“The polytechnic premises is overgrown with weeds that provide refuge for dangerous reptiles and other harmful creatures. It is unfortunate that the polytechnic could witness such tremendous rot at this stage of its development.
“Learning facilities are in shambles and our laboratories and classrooms are pathetic sights,” he stated.
Attah also observed that the polytechnic security staff are owed salaries for nine months.
He called on the management, staff and students of the school to join hands with him to restore the lost glory of the polytechnic.