Follow Us on Google
From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) have petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (FMITI), demanding an investigation into the alleged diversion of N20bn intervention fund at Cement Technology Institute of Nigeria (CTIN).
The students dropped the petition at the headquarters of both organizations in Abuja, after a peaceful protest they staged on Wednesday to raise necessary attention.
The petition was also submitted to the Board of Trustees, CTIN; Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman; and Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
NAPS President, Comrade Muniru Opeyemi, who presented the petition letter to the representative of the EFCC Chairman and FMITI who received them, demanded that EFCC investigate the alleged diversion.
Part of the petition reads: “We, the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS), are raising our voices in protest on this critical matter. We are voicing our total disappointment and deep concern regarding the mismanagement and lack of accountability within the CTIN, particularly its finances.
“CTIN, the organisation under the leadership of Alhaji Aliko Dangote, will have ordinarily not expected to be entangled in allegation of criminal diversion and misapplication of funds. Unfortunately, we have witnessed misuse of funds intended to provide training and development opportunities for Nigerian youths in the cement industry in line with the establishment goals of CTIN.
“Information at our disposal indicated that the N20bn intervention fund that was earmarked for youth empowerment has been squandered, thus leaving a trail of broken promises and shattered dreams.
“The situation of countless Nigerian youths who are unemployed, and lacking technical skills in a rapidly advancing global economy, in addition to unprecedented cement price hike is a harsh testament to the repercussions of such mismanagement.
“Unfortunately, we are living in a country where our potential is suppressed and our future is uncertain courtesy of greed and selfishness of microscopic few so-called special citizens in strategic positions of authority, while the leaders of our industry such as Alhaji Aliko Dangote, are enriching themselves by diverting funds intended for our growth and development as future leaders of our dear nation.”
The leadership of the students thus demanded that EFCC and FMITI immediately investigate, arrest and prosecute CTIN management to unravel the details about the status, management, and use of the over N20bn (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.
“Alhaji Dangote has been sole Chairman since this Institute was created by the Federal Ministry of Trade in conjunction with cement importers, hence we request that EFCC question him on this subject matter,” the student leader added.
