The authorities of the Federal Polytechnic of Ekowe in Southern Ijaw Local Area of Bayelsa State has called on the federal and state government to quickly intervene as erosion has claimed 10 per cent of the facilities in the institution. It was also gathered that the Polytechnic is yet to be connected to the national grid which has made the management to run power generating sets for 20 hours.
The rector, Dr. Seiyaboh Idaho while speaking to newsmen through his executive assistant, Alagha Bibi-Welson, explained that the institution also suffers from security and perennial flood challenges, which has forced about 5000 students of Bayelsa origin to seek admission in neighbouring Delta State Polytechnic.
In terms of achievements, the Rector noted that the issue of staff salary shortfall which had been the cause of incessant strike actions at the institution had been permanently resolved and that this has boosted the morale of staff adding that it took the intervention of President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government to rectify the situation which had been the cause of recurring staff-management squabbles for many years.
According to him, the polytechnic now enjoys a good working relationship amongst management, staff and students, and now has about 4,000 students as against a total of just 40 students in 2017 when he just assumed duties.
He said that if not for COVID-19 the school had concluded plans to admit over 1,000 students in 2020 to grow the student population to over 5000.
