In a recent analysis by SaharaReporters of the 2024 Fiscal Appropriation Act, it has come to light that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has allocated a staggering N2.8 billion to the National Institute of Construction Technology and Management (NICTM), a Federal Polytechnic based in Uromi, Edo State.
This funding is earmarked for various projects, including the construction of traditional palaces, police stations, and roads in Osun, Cross River, and Edo states.
Notably, the budget also includes allocations for initiatives that seem outside the institution’s core mission. For instance, funds are designated for supplying motorcycles to traders in Bayelsa, providing operational vehicles for community vigilantes in Katsina, and constructing health centers in Osun.
This raises questions about the appropriateness of these projects in relation to NICTM’s stated purpose of producing skilled manpower in construction technology and management.
Established under the Federal Ministry of Education, NICTM aims to foster economic and industrial growth through vocational education. Its vision focuses on nurturing creative leaders in the construction field, which starkly contrasts with the current budget allocations.
The breakdown of the funding reveals several significant amounts allocated for projects that do not align with the polytechnic’s objectives. For example, N300 million is set aside for the construction and renovation of traditional palaces in Edo State, while N900 million is directed towards ongoing road construction in Cross River. Additional allocations include N500 million for solar street lights in Yala communities and N50 million for soak-away repairs at Sapele prisons.
Furthermore, N300 million is allocated for community empowerment initiatives in Bayelsa, including motorcycle supplies and township road construction in Katsina. This trend continues with N100 million earmarked for building a police station in Osun and N100 million for rehabilitating a health center in Ede.
These allocations highlight a concerning disconnect between the intended educational mission of NICTM and the diverse array of projects funded under its budget.
