CTIN: Polytechnic students protest over alleged misappropriation of N20bn intervention fund
By Uji A. Iliyasu
Abuja
Scores of members of National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), stormed the streets of Abuja Wednesday to protest alleged diversion of more than N20bn intervention fund for Cement Technology Institute of Nigeria (CTIN).
The protesters led by the President of National Association of Polytechnic Students, Comrade Muniru Opeyemi, took the protest to the headquarters of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, where they submitted petitions to the Chairman of EFCC, Ola Olukoyede and Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Doris Uzoka-Anite, respectively.
The students, while calling on the EFCC to launch an investigation into the allegation of diversion of the intervention fund meant for training of students and development of CTIN without delay, also urged the Federal Government to dissolve the board of the institute with immediate effect.
Opeyemi, said what NAPS was demanding is accountability and justice.
“We demand an immediate investigation, arrest and prosecution of Cement Technology Institute leadership to unravel the details about the status, management, and use of the over 20billion Naira (about $100 million) contributed as levies on imported cement to CTIN for technical training purposes over 10 years ago when Nigeria was still importing cement by chairman Cement Technology Institute of Nigeria and Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment,” he said.
The petition addressed to the EFCC Chairman and entitled: “Petition on allegation of Divertion of 20BN Cement Technology Institute of Nigeria CTIN Intervention Fund”, read in part: “Our local Intelligence following our independent investigation as to the causes of unprecedented hike in cement price, reveal the poor management and diversion of a whopping sum of 20BN intervention fund meant for cement technology development by some individuals heading the CTIN.
“It’s unpatriotic to divert intervention fund meant for development of cement technology. As technologically inclined student, we are highly disappointed in the leadership of Cement Technology Institution of Nigeria for this carelessness and a perceived act of fraud and criminal diversion of common wealth.
“We strongly believe if the fund is utilised, we should be the beneficiaries as technical students from the Polytechnic sector in Nigeria.
“It’s on this note we are calling on Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to, as a matter of urgency, commence probe of the Cement Technology Institution of Nigeria.
“The incumbent Federal Government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has undoubtedly demonstrated commitment to transform education, improve wellbeing of Nigerian students, staff and infrastructure in education sector so as made life easier for all citizens.
“Our findings have revealed the inimical act of some cooperate bodies, the like of Cement Technology Institute of Nigeria CTIN, certainly owing Nigerian technological students, and by extension, Nigerian Youth a whopping sum of 20BN, 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.
“Today, we are rising in protest to demand accountability and justice for saboteurs.
“We, the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), in consonance with other concerned Nigerians, being the voice and spirit of Nigeria’n 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),” he said