By; ABDULGAFAR ALABELEWE, Kaduna
The umbrella body of polytechnic students in Nigeria, the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) has called on the Economics and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to probe Cement Technology Institute of Nigeria (CTIN) over alleged diversion of N200bn technology development fund.
NAPS President, Comrade Ridwan Opeyemi Munirudeen while addressing a conference in Kaduna on Saturday, said, the students body has in its independent investigation discovered that, a whopping sum of N200 billion intervention fund meant for cement technology development, has been pocket by some individuals.
The Apex Polytechnic students union body however gave the EFCC a seven-day ultimatum to commence the of CTIN’s account since its establishment 10 years ago, threatening that, students will occupy the anti graft agency’s headquarters if it fails to heed to students’ call.
According to the NAPS President, “Fellow compatriots, in our independent investigation as to the causes of unprecedented hike in all commodities including building materials, essentials such as Cement, we have discovered a whopping sum of 200BN intervention fund meant for cement technology development has been pocket by some individuals.
“It is unpatriotic to divert intervention fund meant to development cement technology, as technological inclined students, we are highly disappointed in the leadership of Cement Technology Institution of Nigeria for this careless and a perceived act of fraud and criminal diversion of common wealth.
“We strongly believe that, if the fund is utilized, we should be the beneficiaries as technical students from Polytechnics in Nigeria.
“It is on this note we are calling on Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to as a matter of urgency commence probe of Cement Technology Institution of Nigeria.
“The incumbent federal Government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR has undoubted demonstrated commitment to transform education, improve wellbeing of Nigeria students, staffs and infrastructure in education sector so as to make life easier for all citizens.
“Today, we are rising in protest to demand accountability and justice against saboteurs. We, the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), in consonance with our apex body NANS being the voice and spirit of Nigeria’s youth, the bearers of our nation’s future, we are raising our voices in protest.
“We are voicing our total disappointment likewise express our deep concern and outrage regarding the mismanagement and lack of accountability within the Cement Technology Institute of Nigeria (CTIN), an organisation under Alh Aliko Dangote’s leadership.
“We would have ordinarily not expected to entangle in allegation of criminal diversion and misapplication of fund. But for the rather unfortunate alleged misuse of funds, intended to provide training and development opportunities for Nigerian youth in the cement industry in line with the establishment goals of CTIN.
“Information at our disposal reveal the fund had been squandered, leaving a trail of broken promises and shattered dreams. Our findings have revealed the inimical act of some cooperate bodies, the likes of Cement Technology Institute of Nigeria (CTIN), which is certainly owing Nigeria Technological students and by extension Nigerian Youth a whopping sum of N200Billion a cement importation levies primarily meant for Technical training and development of opportunities for young Nigerians in cement industry according to the CTIN establishment goal.
“We are living in a country where our potential is suppressed and our future is uncertain, courtesy of greed and selfishness of microscopic few, so called special citizen in strategic position of authority, while the leaders of our industry are enriching themselves by diverting funds intended for our growth and development as future leaders of our dear nation.
“We thereby demand accountability, and we demand justice. We demand an immediate, detailed, and public explanation to the Nigerian people about the status, management, and use of the over N20billion Naira (about $100 million) contributed as levies on imported cement to CTIN for technical training purposes.
“We call on Economics and Financial Crimes Commission (EFFC) to commence probe of CTIN N200billion intervention fund between now and 7days, otherwise we shall be leading a massive protest to EFCC headquarter Abuja to press home our demand,” NAPS President said.
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