Benue govt converts institutions to Polytechnic

The Benue State Executive Council on Monday, approved the conversion of Akawe Torkula College of Advanced and Professional Studies, ATCAPS, Makurdi to Akawe Torkula Polytechnic, ATP, Makurdi.

According to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism, Mr. James Agbo said that the  Council also approved the conversion of Akperan Orshi College of Agriculture, Yandev, AOCAY, to Akperan Orshi Polytechnic, Yandev, AOPY, Yandev.

According to Agbo, the Executive Council meeting was presided over by Governor Samuel Ortom.

Agbo said, ‘the decision of Council to convert the two institutions to polytechnics is to enable them to meet accreditation requirements set by National Board for Technical Education, NBTE.

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“It was the considered decision of Council that while Akperan Orshi Polytechnic and Akawe Torkula Polytechnic will begin to offer fully accredited diploma courses in various disciplines with graduates of the two institutions also participating in National Youth Service Corps.

“The approval of the State Executive Council is to be sent to the State House of Assembly for amendment of the laws establishing the institutions,” he said.

The permanent secretary further said that the  State Executive Council approved the termination of contracts for the extension of electricity from Gbajimba to Tse-Akaahena in Guma local government area and the feeder road which covers Tse-Ortom-Tse-Upev-Tse-Akaahena-Nasarawa border in Guma local government area of the state.

He said that the decision of Council to terminate the two contracts was based on the fact that the contractor Dan-Ella Global Business Services Limited had abandoned the projects.

Agbo further said that the company is expected to refund the sum of N54.3 million on the abandoned road project and N26.5 million on the abandoned electricity project.