The student wing of the Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF, has called on the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, to remove the supervision and management of the Niger Delta Science School from Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, formerly Port Harcourt Polytechnic.
The group also urged the NDDC to establish an independent Governing Board comprising qualified scientists and other relevant stakeholders to oversee the institution and ensure transparency and effective administration.
National Coordinator, Student Affairs of PANDEF, Comrade Prince Victor, made the call while speaking to journalists in Port Harcourt on Monday said on behalf of concerned stakeholders, parents, students, alumni and citizens of the Niger Delta Science School.
Victor said findings by the group showed that the school was facing serious infrastructural and administrative challenges, including the absence of functional Physics, Chemistry and Biology laboratories, non-functional ICT facilities, deteriorating classrooms and unhygienic toilet facilities.
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He also alleged that the Director of the Niger Delta Science School, Mr. Uzor Azubike, who was appointed by Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, had misappropriated funds meant for the running of the institution.
PANDEF students called on the NDDC to immediately constitute an independent investigative panel to thoroughly examine the allegations and other concerns raised about the management of the school.
The group expressed concern that the Niger Delta Science School, which was established as a centre of excellence to nurture scientists, innovators, engineers, medical professionals and future leaders from the oil-producing region, had allegedly deteriorated from its original vision.
However, when contacted, the Director of the Niger Delta Science School, Mr. Uzor Azubike, denied the allegations.
Azubike explained that school fees paid by students were deposited into the account of Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic and not his personal account.
