NAPS Stages Protest, Rally For Transparency Over N20bn Cement Institute’s Fund

The National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS) has urged the Economics and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC), to as a matter of urgency commence a probe into how over N20 billion that was expended in the Cement Technology Institute of Nigeria (CTIN).

The students made the demand on Wednesday during a peaceful protest at the headquarters of EFCC and Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment office, Abuja.

During the protest, the students also submitted petitions on allegation of diversion of 20bn CTIN Intervention Fund both at EFCC and Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, demanding accountability and justice for the saboteurs.

Addressing the press at the end of the protest, Comr. Muniru Opeyemi, President of the association said its independent investigation as to the causes of unprecedented hike in Cement price, revealed the poor management and diversion of  a whopping sum of  20BN intervention fund meant for cement technology development by some individuals heading the CTIN.

“It’s unpatriotic to divert intervention funds meant to develop cement technology, as technologically inclined students, we are highly disappointed in the leadership of Cement Technology Institution of Nigeria under the watch of Alh. Aliko Dangote for this carelessness and a perceived act of fraud and criminal diversion of the commonwealth.

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“We strongly believe if the fund is utilized, we should be the beneficiaries as technical students from the Polytechnic sector in Nigeria.

“It’s on this note we are calling on the Economics and Financial Crime Commission to as a matter of urgency commence the probe of the Cement Technology Institution of Nigeria under the leadership of Alh Aliko Dangote.

“The incumbent Federal Government led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR have undoubtedly demonstrated commitment to transform education, improve wellbeing of Nigeria students, staff and infrastructure in the education sector so as to make life easier for all citizens.

“Our findings have reveal the inimical act of some corporate bodies, the like of Cement Technology Institute of Nigeria CTIN under the leadership of Alh Aliko Dangote who is certainly owing Nigeria Technological Students and by extension Nigeria Nigerian Youth a whopping sum of 20BN, a cement importation levies primarily meant for Technical training and development of opportunities for young Nigerians in cement industry  according to the CTIN  establishment goal,” it said.

NAPS further expressed deep concern and outrage regarding the mismanagement and lack of accountability within the Cement Technology Institute of Nigeria (CTIN), saying that an organisation under Alh Aliko Dangote leadership will have ordinarily not expected to entangle in allegation of criminal diversion and misapplication of fund.

“But rather unfortunate, the alleged misuse of  funds, intended to provide training and development opportunities for Nigerian youth in the cement industry in line with the establishment goals of CTIN, information at our disposal revealed the fund had been squandered, leaving a trail of broken promises and shattered dreams.

“The situation of countless Nigerian youths, who are unemployed and lacking technical skills in a rapidly advancing global economy may not be far from another yardstick for unprecedented cement price hike in the country, is a harsh testament to the repercussions of such mismanagement.

“We are living in a country where our potential is suppressed and our future is uncertain courtesy of greed and selfishness of microscopic few so call special citizen in strategic position of authority,  while the leaders of our industry such as Alh Aliko Dangote are enriching themselves by diverting funds intended for our growth and development as future leaders of our dear nation.”

The association therefore, demanded accountability and immediate investigation, arrest and prosecution of Cement Technology Institute leadership to unravel the detailed about the status, management, and use of the over 20billion Naira (about $100 million) contributed as levies on imported cement to CTIN for technical training purposes over 10 years ago when Nigeria was still importing cement by chairman Cement Technology Institute of Nigeria and Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment.

It further stated, “Alh Dangote has been sole chairman since this institution was created by the Federal Ministry of Trade in conjunction with cement importers – hence why we are requesting  directly the EFCC to question Alh Dangote on this subject matter.”