With the recent approval for the establishment of the Federal Polytechnic in Plateau State, the Federal Government has announced the citing of the Polytechnic in Nyak, Shendam Local Government Area.
Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Education Architect Sonny Echono conveyed this to Governor Simon Bako Lalong during the continuation of the technical visit to the State in preparation to the take-off of the Polytechnic.
The Permanent Secretary said the technical team from the Ministry had undertaken a preliminary visit to various sites in Shendam Local Government and has submitted its findings, Nyak was chosen as the site for the school.
He said “I am here at the behest of the Minister of Education Mallam Adamu Adamu on what we now call the open end of our visit. This is actually the second visit in connection with this institution. Our first visit was a reconnaissance one, we didn’t contact the State Government and we did not make it public. But we did look at the various options in the location of the institution and we made recommendations. I am pleased to inform you that based on the criteria we worked out to stimulate development and foster access, Nyak in Shendam Local Government Area was approved by Mr. President.
On this second visit, therefore, another 10 member Technical Team is here to meet with some of the officials of the State Government on some of the policy and logistic needs of the school. They will go to the site and assess the condition to discuss further the sharing of responsibilities on what we see as the facilities that the State Government should assist to provide. We believe that on-site facilities are the responsibility of the institution while off-site facilities will require the assistance of the State Government”.
Echono said facilities such as access road to the site, power lines and water body for treatment are the immediate concerns that will be addressed in collaboration with State Government. He said already, President Buhari has approved 2 billion naira for the takeoff of the institution.
He said the visit report of the 10-man technical committee will further advise whether the Polytechnic should start on a temporary facility or on the permanent site.
He also conveyed the appreciation of the Minister of Education to Governor Lalong for championing peace and reconciliation which has made Plateau return to its pride of place as the Home of Peace and Tourism – a situation that continues to attract development and investment to the State.
Governor Lalong assured the Permanent Secretary that the people of Plateau State, Shendam Local Government as well as the host community of Nyak are all eager for the take-off of the school which will accelerate educational development, skill acquisition and job creation.
He said the Plateau State Government will do its part in providing any needed assistance for the success of the institution.
Meanwhile, the 10-member Technical Team led by Mallam Musa Mohammed Isgogo, a Director from the National Board for Technical Education and the Chief of Staff to the Plateau State Governor, Noel Donjur has concluded their visit to the approved site in Nyak.
During the visit, they inspected the vast land provided as permanent site of the Polytechnic, access roads and other facilities for power, water and security. They also inspected some Schools and hospitals currently being constructed under the Lalong Legacy projects in Nyak and Shendam before paying visits to traditional rulers including the Long Gamai of Shendam, Miskoom Martin Shaldas III who expressed excitement and appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Simon Lalong for finally wiping their tears with the establishment of a Federal Tertiary institution in the Southern Zone of the State.
