Delta Assembly Directs Ogwashi-uku Poly to Re-instate Demoted Staff

Delta State House of Assembly Committee on Legislative Compliance has issued a 24-hour directive to the Management of Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-uku to effect the resolution of the State Legislature reached in January 2023 by the 7th Delta Assembly.

The resolution as earlier handed down to the school management was immediate reinstatement and reappraisal of the sanction placed on one of its staff, Mrs. Grace Adah of the Department of Academic Planning.

Handing down the directive on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, at a crucial meeting with the management team of the Polytechnic, Chairman of the Committee and Deputy Speaker, Rt Hon Arthur Akpowowo warned that further flouting of the committee’s resolution by the school authority would be visited with heavy sanctions.

The legislative compliance committee which also includes the Majority Leader, Hon Emeka Nwaobi, Minority Leader, Hon. Edafe Emakpor and Deputy Majority Leader, Hon Festus Okoh, vehemently frowned at what they described as flagrant disrespect of the Delta State House of Assembly by the school management.

While threatening to invoke relevant sections of the legislative rules, the committee members urged the management team led by its Rector, Prof. Emmanuel Achuenu to, within the next 24 hours, furnish the committee with a letter conveying compliance with its directive.

The committee, in its decision, said, “In your letter which you sent to us, it was obvious that you were not ready to implement our resolution.

“Our duty as a committee is to ensure that we do justice to every case that is reported to the State Assembly. By your letter, it is evident that you do not have respect for this House. There was certainly no reason for you to have replied us in the manner and tone as contained in your letter.

“We have sent several letters to you. This is our last meeting with you on this matter, you have between now and tomorrow to implement our resolution, otherwise….”  Akpowowo said.

In response, the Rector of the Polytechnic, Prof. Emmanuel Achuenu while tendering apologies on behalf of the management of Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku, promised to comply with the resolution as directed.

Mrs Grace Adah was allegedly demoted to the post of Principal Assistant Registrar (P.A.R) of the Polytechnic following an issue with the management of the Polytechnic. A petition made to the State Assembly after an investigation, directed she be re-designated as Lecturer 1.