Imopoly staff stranded, confused over Govt’s haphazard relocation

• Stakeholders advocate school’s return to Orlu

Staff and students of Imo State Polytechnic, Omuma, are currently confused and stranded due to what they describe as the state government’s haphazard and unplanned relocation of the institution to Awo Omamma barely after it had been moved from Orlu to Omuma in Oru East Local Government Area.
A lecturer in the institution, who spoke anonymously to our reporter, said they have become objects of ridicule among their colleagues elsewhere since the school was moved from Umuagwo to Orlu, then later to Omuma.
He said, “Surprisingly, the governor recently announced that he is converting the school into a University of Innovation. Last week, when the National Universities Commission (NUC) came for Resource Assessment, no staff of the university was present. It was lecturers from Imo Polytechnic that were presented to fill the gap”.
A management staff member of the Polytechnic, who also preferred not to be named, said, “We have visited Awo Omamma to assess the situation there, but unfortunately there is absolutely nothing on ground to indicate that the location is prepared to host a tertiary institution. That is why we are confused.”
He added that when the NUC came for Resource Assessment, Polytechnic students were instructed to keep away from the premises.“This has caused the school to lose a significant number of students, and more are still planning to leave. How can the government relocate the school without making proper arrangements?” he asked.
Under the Uzodinma administration, Imo Polytechnic has been moved repeatedly-first from Umuagwo to Orlu, then from Orlu to Omuma, and now from Omuma to Awo Omamma.
A prominent Orlu son, Chief Godwin Okorie, reacting to the development, said they expected the governor to return the school to Orlu, especially now that the host community is threatening to reclaim the land.
He called on the state government to urgently restore the school to its former site in Orlu, adding that anything short of this would be seen as insensitivity to the plight of staff and students, who have been traumatized by the constant and needless relocations that have taken a toll on them.