Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Technical and Higher Education Successfully Concludes Discussions with Technical Universities

By Abdul Rahman Bah

The Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Technical and Higher Education, chaired by Hon. Joseph Williams-Lamin, concluded engagements with the officials of the Polytechnic and UNIMTEC University of Sierra Leone in Freetown, as well as the Ernest Bai Koroma University in Makeni and the Kono University GTI Government Technical Institute Campuses on Monday, 1st July 2024, and Tuesday, 2nd July 2024, respectively.

During the visits, Hon. Joseph William Lamin stated that the purpose of the visits was not to conduct a witch hunt, but to fulfil the committee’s mandate. He also mentioned that the visit reports would be presented to the Parliament for approval.

Dr Ahmed Deen of Campus Kissy highlighted the challenges faced by the polytechnic, including a lack of equipment and students failing to pay fees. He also mentioned that a $3.2 million fund was allocated to Kissy Polytechnic in Freetown, with the assistance of His Excellency Julius Maada Bio and Japan, to train students, especially in automobile-related fields.

Dr Samba Moriba, Principal of Polytechnic Jui, expressed concerns about the lack of Grant-in-Aid since 2014/2024 and the need for funds to run the affairs of the campus. He also mentioned challenges related to the ongoing construction, including the lack of funds to complete construction and encroachment on the campus land.

At the Ernest Bai Koroma University and Technology at Magburaka, Vice Chancellor Rev. Prof. Edwin JJ Momoh reported that out of the 6,000 students headcounted for 2023/2024, only 4,500 were approved. He also emphasized the need for additional building structures, especially hostels, to accommodate the students.

During the visit to Ernest Bai Koroma University at Makeni, Dr. Moris Baimba Koroma, Deputy Chancellor, highlighted the deplorable state of the campus facilities and the financial challenges faced by the university, including high expenditures on electricity and facility limitations compared to the student population.

The Committee also visited Kono University in Fandu Village, Gbense Chiefdom, where Engineer NJAi shared details about the construction of the University of Science and Technology in Koidu, Kono, funded through a loan facility from the Government EXIM Bank of India via ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development EBID. He mentioned that the construction is ongoing and is 75% completed but faces delays due to slow funding from the Ministry of Finance.

Engineer Monica, the project coordinator, emphasized the challenges related to the slow funding and expressed the desire to complete the construction next year to accommodate the students.

During the visit to Sundu Town Government Technical Institute (GTI), Principal Emmanuel Tamba Baningo mentioned that there were over 150 enrolled students, with 130 being active.