NAPS demands investigation into alleged diversion of N20bn for students’ training

The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) has called on the federal government to investigate the management and Board of Trustees of the Cement Technology Institute of Nigeria (CTIN) over alleged diversion of N20 billion intervention fund meant for training of students and development of CTIN.

The National President of the association, Muniru Opeyemi, made the demand when he led some students in protest to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC ) and Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment in Abuja to demand accountability and justice.

NAPS submitted a petition to both the anti graft agency and the ministry tagged, “We are disappointed with zero impact of Cement Technology Institute of Nigeria, (CTIN),”

“We demand accountability, and justice. We demand an immediate investigation, arrest and prosecution of CTIN leadership to unravel the details of the status, management, and use of the over N20 Billion (about $100 million) contributed as levies on imported cement to CTIN for technical training purposes over 10 years ago when Nigeria was still importing cement by chairman Cement Technology Institute of Nigeria and Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment ,” he said.

“Our independent investigation as to the causes of unprecedented hike in Cement price, reveal the poor management and diversion of a whopping sum of N20billion intervention fund meant for cement technology development by some individuals heading the CTIN.”

He said its unpatriotic to divert intervention fund meant for developing cement technology.

“As technological inclined students, we are highly disappointed in the leadership of CTIN for this carelessness and a perceived act of fraud and criminal diversion of commonwealth.”

“We strongly believe if the fund is utilised, we should be the beneficiaries as technical students from the Polytechnic sector in Nigeria,” he said.

He noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has undoubtedly demonstrated commitment to transform education, improve wellbeing of Nigeria students, staff and infrastructure in the education sector so as to make life easier for all citizens.

The petition has in copy Board of Trustees of CTIN, Minister of Education, and the Chairman /Senate President of the 10th National Assembly

Meanwhile the EFCC promised to look into it.