After 15 years of abandonment, host communities have appealed to the Delta State government to reopen the Sapele Polytechnic, Deghele-Iriabome in Sapele Local Government Area of the state.
The institution was among the four Polytechnics established in 2010 by former Governor Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan though construction commenced in 2012 at the permanent site at the communal farm in Deghele-Iriabome communities.
Speaking on the issue, some residents of the host communities stressed the benefits of reopening the school, just even as they called on Governor Sheriff Oborevwori to undertake a site visit and evaluate the scope of the projects being implemented on site.
The Duke of Elume District in Okpe kingdom, Chief Lucky Onoghete, requested that the governor to come to their aid by reopening the school which he said would boost the economic fortunes of the rural communities.
“Reopening the school will revitalise the socio-economic fortunes of the Deghele-Iriabome twin communities and extend beyond.
Senior Special Assistant to the governor on Youth Mobilisation, Stanley Eta Eshanomi, stated that the communities, Elume district and Sapele Local Government Area had submitted several letters to former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, requesting the continuation of the project, but to no avail.
“We are delighted that our elder brother has emerged now as the governor of the state and we implore him to heed our plea.
“The Okpe-Sapele-Uvwie federal constituency lacks a state government-owned higher institution. Hence, we are appealing to Governor Oborevwori to establish one here. We urge the governor to visit the project site and assess the situation firsthand, subsequently informing his constituents of the optimal plan for the abandoned school.
“This expansive land was donated by our communities to the state government, and utilising it for its intended purpose would generate employment opportunities for our people,” he said.
The Community Liaison Officer for the project, Victor Okweji, explained how the project’s construction facilitated youth engagement, adding that the communities have provided uninterrupted security for the facilities since 2016 till date.
“We have been mobilising our people to clear the site and are appealing to the governor to revive the moribund project.
When contacted, the state Commissioner for Higher Education, Professor Nyerhovwo Tonukari stated that the polytechnic was not included in the handover documents provided to him at the ministry.
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