A CASE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC AT UZUAKOLI TOWN.
A CASE FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC AT UZUAKOLI TOWN; BEING A PRESENTATION OF UZUAKOLI DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION (UDA) TO THE PUBLIC HEARING ORGANISED BY THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON TERTIARY EDUCATION AND TETFUND.
The President of Senate
The Chairman, Vice Chairman and Members
Senate Committee on Tertiary Education and Tetfund
National Assembly Complex
Three Arms Zone
Abuja.
RE: A BILL FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF FEDERAL POLYTECHNIC ABA, SPONSORED BY SENATOR T.A ORJI
We, on behalf of all the people of Uzuakoli, heartily commend our distinguished Senator T.A Orji for championing and indeed sponsoring the bill for the establishment of a Federal Polytechnic in Abia State.
Preamble
However, while we associate ourselves with this novel initiative by the distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic, given the protracted neglect of Bende LGA with regard to the citing and allocation of both State and Federal projects in Abia State since its creation in 1991; the choice of location for an institution of this magnitude is unacceptable as proposed.
Moreover, if the well-publicized mantra of all levels of government about reducing the rate of rural – urban migration is anything to go by, the proposed location is certainly not an option, as it is an already overpopulated and highly industrialized mega city. In addition, the proposed location already parades Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Abia State College of Health Technology as well as the Abia State Polytechnic, including an NNPC depot; amongst other government and private institutions too numerous to mention here. Further, the Abia state government is presently battling to cope with the seriously overstretched infrastructure and other basic social amenities in Aba as a result of overpopulation and rapid industrialization. This explains why the Abia State Government considered and decided to move the existing Abia State Polytechnic away from its present location in Aba permanent location outside the city.
Furthermore, we are convinced that the proposed location of the Federal Polytechnic as contained in this bill will certainly fail any genuine Environmental Assessment test whenever it is conducted. Therefore, we most humbly submit that no other location in Abia State is more suitable for establishing the Federal Polytechnic than Uzuakoli. Uzuakoli has always been the rational choice for such educational institutions from colonial to post-colonial era for obvious social, economic and political factors.
Uzuakoli is an ancient kingdom in Bende LGA of Abia State, located on 7.32 degrees latitude and 8.36 degrees longitude, East of the Equator; occupying a land mass of about 28.8 square kilometers, with a population of 60,000 according to the 2006 census figures; and presently estimated to have a population of over 145, 000. Historically, Uzuakoli is the major central town in the present Bende Local Government Area of Abia State. It was given a township status by the Colonial administration in 1902. The vision of the colonial masters was to make Uzuakoli a big city in the likes of Aba, Ilorin, Kafanchan and Jos, among others. To actualize the dream of a big Uzuakoli city, the colonialists conferred urban status on Uzuakoli town in 1922 and followed it up in 1934 by acquiring a large parcel of land with a view to establishing the Uzuakoli Municipal Centre. The Colonial masters called the acquired land “Uzuakoli Station Layout”. It should be noted that at the time of acquiring the land, the colonialists were also developing mega cities like Port Harcourt, Offa, Ilorin, Makurdi, Kafanchan etc. Multi-national companies such as G.B. Olivant, UAC, Leventis stores etc established posts in Uzuakoli awaiting the Colonial Government’s opening of Uzuakoli city, but they all had to leave upon noticing the concentration of government in the areas afore-mentioned. The debris of their office buildings are all that one finds on the ground in Uzuakoli; thus, the abandonment of the Uzuakoli Mega City dream.
When His Excellency, Dr. Sam O. Mbakwe assumed office as the Governor of the old Imo State (comprising the present Imo and Abia as well as parts of Ebonyi States), he attempted to resurrect the dream by fashioning out the “Uzuakoli Development Plan” which was developed by an Italian firm called Planital S.R.L; Ghirza, Rome, in partnership with the Imo State Ministry of Works and Transport; by virtue of a bilateral agreement entered into by the parties in October, 1980. The underlying idea behind the choice of Uzuakoli was to actuate the colonial government’s plan of developing Uzuakoli Town as one of the commercial hubs as well as the academic nerve centre of the South-East, being convinced that the town manifests potentials capable of raising the economic viability of the region.
Nevertheless, there are several reasons to justify the citing of the proposed Federal Polytechnic in Uzuakoli; ranging from economic, academic, infrastructural, historical, environmental, social and security reasons amongst others; briefly summarized as follows:
Academic
Consideration for the citing of every new educational institution should be conditioned and influenced by the requirement for internal bonding and cohesion within its locality as well as a robust support system and care from the host community; without which its successful take off may be seriously jeopardized. Therefore, a new tertiary institution should ideally be cited where other tiers of education have taken root, with a demonstrable history of growth and success; thereby necessitating the next level (tertiary institution in this case). As at 1982 there were about thirteen primary schools and five secondary schools; a Teachers’ Training College and a Commercial College in Uzuakoli catering for students and pupils from all over the South East and beyond, including Arochukwu, Item, Alayi, Igbere, Abiriba, Bende, Ohafia, Isuikwuato, Okigwe, Owerri, Mbaise, Umuahia, Aba, Enugu, Onitsha, Isuochi, Ozuitem, Calabar, Abakiliki, Afikpo, Ogoja, Ikom, Ikot Ekpene, Awka, Yenegoa, Oron, Etinang, Eket, Otukpo, Gboko, Makurdi and Uyo among others too numerous to mention here.
Further, Uzuakoli provides a conducive academic environment having taken an educational lead in the former Eastern Region since 1923, when the Nigerian Colonial Education Authority approved the establishment of the first Secondary School in the former Eastern Region (Methodist Institute, which later became known as Methodist College Uzuakoli) situated on 106 acres of land; producing notable Nigerians such Dr Michael I. Okpara (former Premier of Eastern Region of Nigeria), Dr. Clement Isong (first Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria and ex- Governor of Cross River State), Dr. Edwin Ogbu, (Ochi Idoma and former Nigeria Permanent Representative to the United Nations), Hon. Justice Udo Udoma (former Justice of Supreme Court), Chief. Kanu Agabi, SAN (former Attorney-General of the Federation), amongst others too numerous to be mentioned here. Besides, the community also hosted a Teachers’ Training College (TTC) with a land area of over 110 acres (the proposed Polytechnic can conveniently take off in this location, if our prayer is considered and granted). This is one of the factors responsible for citing of the Faculty of Agricultural Science and Veterinary Medicine of the old Imo State University at this location (Teacher’s Training College, Uzuakoli) by the administration of late Chief Sam Mbakwe in 1981. However, following the military coup d’état of December 1983, the succeeding military administration of Brigadier Ike Nwachukwu abolished the multi campus structure of the old Imo State University, thereby returning the Teachers’ Training College Uzuakoli back to status quo. Unfortunately, with the phasing out of the TTC programme, the land has been lying fallow and it is readily available for the proposed Federal Polytechnic. The adjoining large expanse of land (former colonial crown land and now Government layout) is equally available for future expansion of the proposed Federal Polytechnic, and this large expanse of land can conveniently accommodate other development projects, including staff quarters and accommodation facilities for everyone connected to the proposed Federal Polytechnic.
In addition, Uzuakoli also boasts of a Community library built by the old Imo State Library Board about 35 years ago and now managed by the Abia State Library Board. Moreover, successive administrations in both Imo and Abia, as well as faith-based organizations such as the Methodist Church and the Living Faith Church have considered the establishment of a complete educational hub in Uzuakoli as an article of faith, to the benefit of Abia State, Nigeria and beyond. The Methodist Mission proposed to build a Methodist university in the 1980s at Uzuakoli on the land adjacent to the Teachers’ Training College, but reversed its decision upon discovery that use of the “Crown land” is vested in the hands of Government. So the University was relocated. And upon the creation of Abia State out of Imo and the making of Uturu Campus the substantive Abia University, the College of Agriculture was moved to Umudike, Umuahia instead of Uzuakoli as originally cited in the old Imo State University masterplan. The gap is left unfilled. Now that a Federal Polytechnic is about in Abia State, we had expected that Uzuakoli would be an automatic choice, having been designated as a University Campus in the old Imo State University Master Plan, to which the defunct Teacher Training College and its expansive facilities and grounds had been dedicated. It is also instructive to note that the present location of Abia State Polytechnic Aba was one of the multi campuses of the old Imo State University alongside the Uzuakoli campus. Today, the Uzuakoli campus of the old Imo State University is lying fallow, whereas the Aba campus which is already hosting Abia State Polytechnic is also being considered for a Federal Polytechnic by virtue of this bill. This surely against the principles of equity, natural justice and good conscience.
Environment
Data from established studies indicate that mean annual rainfall in Uzuakoli is about 2.100mm; with the main rainy season extending from early March to late October. Studies have also shown that the town is naturally blessed with good climate with an annual mean maximum of 31.00C, minimum of 4.00c and little daily variation.
Studies have equally shown that the soil is conducive for farming, hence the land is predominantly agricultural land and the folks are predominantly farmers. This explains why the faculty of Agricultural Science and Veterinary Medicine of the old Imo State University was cited at Uzuakoli.
Uzuakoli is blessed with natural resources and rich rain forest reserve. We are of the belief that untapped natural resources abound in Uzuakoli; such natural resources include but are not limited to lime stones. Rich Aquarian habitats are not lacking as the town has several rivers and natural streams. One easily remembers the popular “Azi Stream” which flows from the rock. The rich rain forest reserve in Uzuakoli provides a natural setting for students of forestry.
Infrastructure
The road network across Uzuakoli have been improved as tarred roads traverse the town from Umuahia to Arochukwu, cutting across Isuikwuato, Alayi, Abiriba and Ohafia. There is also a good tarred road network running from the Uzuakoli main market junction to Ozuitem, Igbere, Bende, Itumbauzo, Abam, Ihechiowa and Ohafia.
Moreover, there is a 33kv overhead electricity transmission line (National grid) in Uzuakoli. Thus, the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (E.E.D.C.) has a distribution office in Uzuakoli which caters for all towns and villages in Bende LGA. The reason for situating the office in Uzuakoli apart from hosting a National grid transmission line, is because of the accessibility to any town or village in Bende Local Government Area and beyond from Uzuakoli.
The old Imo State Government also built the Uzuakoli (Dam) Water Scheme in the late 1970s for the provision and distribution of portable water to all parts of the town as well as neighbouring towns and villages. The additional vision being to establish industries to complement what was obtainable in the state capital. The federal government is presently reconstructing the Uzuakoli Earth Dam project which when completed, will provide potable water to all communities in Bende LGA whilst providing irrigation water for agricultural projects. However, the importance of water and electricity supply to tertiary institutions such as the proposed Federal Polytechnic cannot be over-emphasised. And these can only be found in abundance at Uzuakoli among all the towns and communities in Abia State.
There was a telephone exchange which was constructed and managed by the defunct Nitel. This equally points to the seriousness of the vision bearers to maximize the potentials that the city possesses.
Further, Uzuakoli is situated along the major road that connects all communities in Abia North from the State Capital Umuahia; with a railway station from Port Harcourt, passing through to Maiduguri, linking the North East, North Central, South East and South South geo-political zones. The fundamental issue of access by road and rail will make travelling to the proposed Federal Polytechnic easy for both students, parents, guardians and staff alike, if cited in Uzuakoli.
Health Care and Economy
Presently, we have one State Government-owned hospital established in 1932, four government owned health care centers and six privately owned hospitals in Uzuakoli. The health care needs of the proposed Federal Polytechnic will be well catered for in Uzuakoli more than any other community in Abia State.
A study conducted by the old Imo State Government in 1982 reveals that Uzuakoli has serious potential for economic growth. The growth point is well located with respect to the arterial road network coupled with active commercial sector with commercial facilities including postal facilities, government treasury department, telecommunication, a main market (which predates colonial government in Nigeria) with comparatively well-developed infrastructure, a hub for both skilled and unskilled labour; a motor park and railway station that connects passengers to all parts of the nation, as well as cottage industries.
Security/Judiciary
There is the Uzuakoli Divisional Police Station situated opposite the Uzuakoli main market; close to the Uzuakoli Station Layout and the defunct TTC. Behind this Police Station is the Uzuakoli High Court. There is also a Chief Magistrate’s Court and a Senior Magistrate’s Court in Uzuakoli; as well as the Customary Court Uzuakoli.
There is also the community vigilante group (Uzuakoli Homeland Security Corps) established and financed by Uzuakoli sons and daughters; especially those in Diaspora. This outfit compliments the efforts of the Nigerian Police in the protection of life and property in Uzuakoli. With these, it is very clear that the security of life and property of the proposed Federal Polytechnic community is already guaranteed, if cited in Uzuakoli
Hotels and Tourism
Uzuakoli presently has several 3 star hotels. These hotels have facilities which are good enough for seminars and conferences as well as accommodation facilities that will cater for the needs of the proposed Federal Polytechnic and its visitors.
Furthermore, Uzuakoli is famous for its rich cultural festivals, especially the bi-annual “Ila Oso” festival which attracts spectators, tourists, anthropologists and historians from within and outside the shores of Nigeria. The natural land scape of the town is a beauty to behold. The undulating site of the proposed municipal city, the valleys of the over rail segment of the town; the level land fit and naturally made for human habitation; the meadows by the rice farmlands, the hilly paths of the farm sites and the streams with colourful fish as well as other aquatic resources. All these manifest the bounties of nature and the beauty that makes Uzuakoli a tourist delight.
Conclusion
This presentation would be incomplete if the rich agricultural products of Uzuakoli are not mentioned. The big sized yams harvested from this town are second to none anywhere in the world. Similarly, the cassava, cocoyam, cocoa, rice, sugar cane, maize, fruits and vegetables etc; taste differently from those produced elsewhere, even as these farm products from Uzuakoli are used as research reference materials in crop production by Agricultural research institutes in Nigeria. Therefore, the food needs of students and staff of the proposed Federal Polytechnic is already assured at the lowest cost comparable to any town in Abia State.
Moreover, investors in mechanical farming are currently knocking on the doors of this great ancient Kingdom. May we humbly sum up by stating that the main physical, social and economic factors outlisted above are what attracted the Colonial Government to Uzuakoli; they are what enticed the old government of Imo State led by Dr. Sam Mbakwe to formulate the Uzuakoli Development Plan; which had a tertiary education campus as the main feature, a dream which should not be allowed to die because it is indeed, a roadmap worthy of development and must be executed. Permit us to also hail the laudable foresight of the present government of Abia State which has commenced the resuscitation of the Uzuakoli city by opening up the major roads within the Uzuakoli Station Layout; a project which is presently ongoing. Nothing would add more colour to this humongous achievement than the citing of the Federal Polytechnic some few kilometers from this city centre in Uzuakoli town.
We must put on record the disquiet in Uzuakoli Community presently that the decision to choose another location was not subjected to adequate consultation among the critical stakeholders in Abia State. This subversion of the minority in the constituency does not augur well for good governance and had all these aforementioned come to the attention of distinguished Senator TA Orji, he would have been better informed in the choice of location.
Our position is that we support the establishment of the Federal Polytechnic in Abia State, but we aver that there are significant comparative advantages in establishing the Federal Polytechnic in Uzuakoli which should be considered by the Distinguished Committee:
Proximity to the State Hospital
Accessibility of Uzuakoli town to other communities
Ease of transportation
Ease of accommodation
Conducive environment for learning
It will enhance the original plan to develop Uzuakoli town as a vital economic city in the South East earlier envisioned by the Colonial regime and subsequent administrations.
It will address the imbalance which that part of the country has suffered over time
The existing facilities in the town will reduce the cost of establishing the institution.
We make bold our assertion that no other community in Abia State can boast of these strategic advantages for development. We, hereby, humbly urge you to take all these comparative advantages of Uzuakoli over other towns and villages in Abia State into consideration and cite the Federal Polytechnic in Uzuakoli Town. This is what the Development Master Plan when Abia State was created, provided for and it should not be set aside simply on the grounds of political expediency.
Finally, citing the proposed Federal Polytechnic at Abia North, Bende Local Government Area and Uzuakoli in particular, will promote the principles of equity, natural justice and good conscience in governance. Moreover, by citing the proposed Federal Polytechnic in Uzuakoli, the Federal Government would be living up to its promise to take education to the grassroot; bearing in mind that education is now globally acknowledged as a fundamental human right. We hereby pray this Distinguished Committee to amend the name and location of the proposed Federal Polytechnic to Federal Polytechnic Uzuakoli.
Thank you and God bless you all.
Engr. Okechukwu Nwokoro
(President-General UDA)
Dr. Charles Chukwunaru
(Team Leader & Speaker)
UDA Central Executive
