–How Ex-Rector allegedly squandered N500m on white elephant projects
Controversy now reigns over the authentic headship of a committee to oversee the transformation of the former Imo Polytechnic Umuagwo and birth of the proposed Imo State University of Agricultural and physical sciences, between the controversial former rector of the erstwhile Imo Polytechnic, Rev. Fr. Wence Madu and the former President of ASUU and one time Vice Chancellor of Imo State University, Professor Ukachukwu Aloysuis Awuzie as both gentlemen claim headship of the Technical committee.
Governor Hope Uzodinma had sometime ago appointed the former Vice Chancellor of Imo State University and Chairman of ASUU, Professor Ukachukwu Awuzie chairman of a technical committee to oversee the transformation of Imo Polytechnic Umuagwo into a University of Agriculture and Physical Sciences which was commended by many Imolites on the grounds that based on his past experiences as a lecturer and administrator as IMSU and former chairman of ASSU, he was certain to deliver on the assignment.
As revealed to Nigeria Watchdog, that appointment did not go down well with Rev. Fr. Dr. Wence Madu who is alleged to be a close confidant and associate of Senator Hope Uzodinma and former governor Senator Rochas Okorocha. Rev. Dr. Wence Madu who was not appointed to the committee abnitio, at present has assumed the position of a sole co-ordinator of the project.
Initially, Awuzie was co-opted like a co-ordinator in the scheme but the Reverend Father turned politician in his usual overbearing influence invited the National Universities Commission (NUC) for inspection of the new University of Agriculture to ascertain its readiness to admit students during the interaction with visiting team, he introduced himself as the Acting Vice Chancellor and in the address he presented at the occasion, he introduced himself as project co-ordinator. Neither Professor Awuzie nor any member of his team was at hand and Fr. Wence never made any reference to the Technical Committee all through his self conceived and ego conceited address which he reeled out after introducing himself as Vice-Chancellor.
The development is once again heightening tension in the former Umuagwo Polytechnic as both students and host community are agitated over the return of Dr. Wence. The host communities are of the fear and anxiety that Rev. Fr. DR. Wence Madu will succeed this time with introducing his preferred Private Public Partnership (PPP) since it has been his dream to clandestinely claim the university earlier conceded to him by Okorocha like Eastern Palm University.
Meanwhile, it has been revealed that towards exit of Okorochas administration, the government had approved the sum of N500 million for the establishment of the school of Agriculture at Mbaise.
A close source to the college revealed that when Wence was confronted on the alleged fund,he acknowledged that N500 million was released but referred the Ihedioha panel to the bursar (Linus Okafor) to confirm how the money was utilized.
A visit to Mbaise location site of the proposed School of Agriculture was nothing on ground to justify the expenditure of such huge amount of state fund.
A close source to the institution who spoke to this reporter said perhaps they must have squandered the money. Meanwhile, Wence in attempt to frustrate and deal with some of his perceived detractors who may attempt to head some department has expunged some departments of the college which include Economic, Banking and Finance. It was revealed that the man intends one of his nephews, Engr Chiadozie Ukaigwe as director of works
At the time of filling this report it was not known if Governor Hope intends to disband that technical committee,headed by Prof. Amuzie.
Efforts to reach Awuzie who had in a recent interview said that the governor mandated him to set up the new university failed and efforts to reach Rev. Fr. Dr. Wence Madu to speak on the development proved abortive as he did not take his calls.
