By Terese Tse
Indigenes of Kwande/Ushongo constituency, under the aegis of Kwande United Progressive Organisation (KUPO) have protested the purported planned relocation of the proposed Federal Polytechnic, Adikpo, Kwande Local Government Area to Annune in Tarka Local Government Area, Benue State.
Speaking at a meeting held Friday in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, the convener and Member representing Kwande/Ushongo at the Federal House of Representatives, Bob Tyough, said it is an interface meeting, concerning the establishment of Adikpo Federal Polytechnic that was earlier approved.
“I have called you here for a strategic meeting, not a constituency briefing. That is why I feel it is more convenient to hold the meeting here in Makurdi, rather than at the constituency. I have been living comfortless at present, more than anytime else in my life. I perceived that the earlier approval of the Adikpo Federal Polytechnic is being tampered with and I felt it is not out of place for us to brainstorm as a constituency and know exactly what is happening.”
Earlier, in his address, the Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Vershima Uza, commended the efforts which the former Senator representing North East, Sen. Barnabas Gemade and Bob Tyough had made so far, concerning the establishment of the polytechnic and went further to suggest that a delegation should be drawn within the constituency to act quickly, to ensure that the institution is not diverted elsewhere as perceived.
In their separate remarks, Prof. Nicholas Ada, Prof. Terver Ubwa, the Chairman of Ushongo Local Government, Joseph Asawa and All Progressives Congress (APC) Chairman in Kwande local government, Iorfa Dzoho, all condemned in strong terms, the alleged planned relocation of the polytechnic and supported the initiative of nipping the matter in the bud, adding that the matter is not about political parties, it is about the growth and development of the whole constituency, so they ought to speak with one voice.
Highlights of the occasion were the selection of the committee members which were drawn from politicians, academics, youth leaders and clerics to be headed by the Senator representing Benue North-East, Sen. Gabriel Suswam with the charge to swing into action immediately.
It could be recalled that, the immediate past Senator representing Benue North-East at the Senate, Senator Barnabas Gemade presented a bill on the floor of the Senate for the establishment of the institution.
The bill was read thrice on the floor of the Senate, however, its expected concurrence on the floor of the House of Representatives for onward forwarding to the President for his assent was not achieved.
