By Adamu Yusuf
The Senate has advised the sponsor of a bill seeking to establish a federal polytechnic in Nasarawa State to withdraw the proposed legislation and introduce a fresh bill, citing legal and procedural concerns arising from the upgrade of the existing federal polytechnic to a university.
Contributing to the debate, Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Jibrin, acknowledged the sponsor’s genuine concern for his constituents, describing the demand for a federal polytechnic in the state as legitimate.
He, however, maintained that the proposed approach was inappropriate because the institution in question had already been upgraded to university status.
Senator Barau explained that rather than seeking to relocate an institution that no longer existed in its former status, the sponsor should introduce a fresh bill for the establishment of another federal polytechnic at the proposed location.
He cited a similar development in another state, where the upgrade of a federal polytechnic to a university necessitated fresh legislation to establish another polytechnic.
He urged the sponsor to withdraw the bill and follow the appropriate legislative procedure, assuring him of his support for the establishment of a federal polytechnic in Nasarawa State.
In his remarks, President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, likened the situation to the upgrading of a primary school to a secondary school, explaining that once an institution is upgraded, it ceases to exist in its former status and cannot simply be relocated as though it retained its previous identity.
Senator Akpabio expressed confidence that a fresh bill would receive the support of senators and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that the establishment of a new federal polytechnic would help address the educational needs of Nasarawa State.
Responding, the sponsor of the bill, Senator Danladi Envulu Anza, who represents Nasarawa North Senatorial District, thanked the Senate President and his colleagues for their guidance and contributions to the debate.
Editing by Khadija Kubau
