Reps Committee to carry out forensic investigation in UNICAL, UNIPORT, others

The House of Representatives Committee on University Education has resolved to carry out a forensic investigation into the financial activities of the University of Calabar, Cross State, University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Federal University of Petroleum Resources, Effurum, Delta State, Federal University Uyo, Akwa Ibom State among others over the inconsistencies observed in their submissions during the committee’s oversight visit to the universities in the South-South Region.

The Chairman of the Committee, Abubakar Hassan Fulata made this known after the lawmakers visited the universities to ascertain their performance.

He said the forensic examination became necessary following discrepancies and irreconcilable data observed in the documents presented to the committee.

Other universities the committees visited and required further investigation include Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa State, and Nigerian Maritime University Okerenkoko, Warri South, Delta State

The committee tasked some of the universities newly established to avoid the mistakes of older universities in terms of noncompliance with federal character principles and spending internally generated revenue without appropriation.

The universities include the Federal University of Medical Health Science Kwale, Delta State and the Federal University of Technology Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State.

Fulata who said his committee has visited over 30 federal universities in 21 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja in the last few weeks added that there is no going back on their decision and determination to make a difference despite obvious challenges.

Fulata said apart from logistics challenges like the cost of transportation travelling by air, land and water) etc there is also the challenge of travelling on the roads and water for several hours.

“Indeed we travelled by air but in most cases, we travelled by roads. Some of these roads are not in good condition but that did not halt our progress. We also travelled through the high seas in the Niger Delta region. Some of our members who are not from the riverine areas did not find it funny particularly when we travelled for some hours on the high sea using a speed boat.

“For instance, one of the universities we visited is Nigerian Maritime University Okerenkoko. This school is located just a few km from the Atlantic Ocean and the only means we used to reach there was by speed boat,” Fulata said.

He said the oversight visit enables them to get first-hand information regarding the challenges in the universities and come up with better ways of addressing them.

Victor Afam Ogene, a member of the committee warned against misinterpretation and shabby treatment of legislators in the course of doing their work.

Ogene noted that the lawmakers are not in any way on the mission of witch-hunting anyone; rather, they are carrying out their roles in line with constitutional provisions.

According to him, the National Assembly members in line with the order of protocol are next after Mr President and Vice President and there will be no democracy without the parliament hence the need for synergy between them and other arms of government for the purpose of development.

Blessing Amadi, a member of the committee, in the same vein called on the management of the universities to prioritise the affairs of students.

She said it was improper to allocate huge amounts of money for legal issues while matters that affect students directly like teaching aids did not get the necessary attention.