A bill establishing the Cross River State Polytechnic scaled second reading in the House of Assembly today, the 8th day of December 2020.
The Bill, if passed and assented to by His Excellency Sen. Prof. Ben Ayade would provide facilities for courses of instructions, training and research in science and technology, tourism, management and other fields of studies.
Sponsor of the bill, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey, Leader of the Cross River State House of Assembly and Member representing Ogoja State Constituency explained that the state polytechnic would by the bill provide a better technological education.
According to Odey, during press briefing noted that there was a polytechnic before now and it was changed to a university and the House is not against the Bill that changed the polytechnic to a University.
Odey added that for now technological advancement is lacking and no state grows outside its technological advancement.
Leader opined that with the industrialization drive of the State Government, technologists and technicians can drive the growth in Cross River State, just like China.
If the Youths are busy with their hands after acquiring knowledge they received from polytechnic, that alone would reduce unemployment and criminality in our State the Leader said.
He concluded that already Cross River State University of Technology will be changed to a conventional University and with this polytechnic Bill it would fast-track the Assent of Crutech Bill.
In His contribution, Deputy Speaker and Co-sponsors Rt. Hon. Joseph Bassey, member representing Calabar South II, Stated the differences between a university and a polytechnic.
Bassey noted that graduate from polytechnic can enhance Cross River State productivity and for now the university and polytechnic are enjoying the same status approved by Federal government.
The lawmaker further noted that the bill also seeks to give backing to the polytechnic to access the intervention funds from Federal donor agencies such as Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) and other funds for its development, as well as facilitating scholarship, partnership and exchange of academic programme in various field of studies.
Other members also supported the bill wholeheartedly.
The speaker Rt. Hon. Eteng Jonah Williams after passing the bill for the second reading, referred to the committee on Education to report back in two days.
Similarly, five other Bills scaled through first reading, the bills include;
1. Cross River State Water Protection Access Sanitation and Regulatory Bill 2020
2. Cross River State Radio and Television Licensing Bill 2020
3. Cross River State Ecological Levy Bill 2020
4. Cross River State Land use Charge Bill 2020
5. Cross River State Routine Immunization Bill 2020.
Ofem Jesam Reporting From CR House of Assembly.
