Billions of naira worth of educational equipment lie unused across several colleges in Delta State, sparking widespread outrage among citizens, educators, and civil society organizations.
A recent investigation has revealed that sophisticated instructional and technical equipment—procured under previous state administrations—remain idle, rusting away in poorly maintained facilities. The items, intended to bolster vocational and technical education, have reportedly been locked up for years due to poor planning, lack of trained personnel, and infrastructure deficits.
At the Delta State Polytechnic in Ogwashi-Uku, stacks of modern engineering tools and computer systems sit under dust-covered tarpaulins in storage units. Staff at the institution, speaking anonymously, confirmed that they had neither received training nor operational directives regarding the use of the equipment.
“It’s a colossal waste,” said a senior lecturer in the engineering department. “We could be using this to train the next generation of skilled workers. Instead, it’s wasting away.”
Civil society groups have begun demanding accountability. “This is yet another example of how public funds are squandered through mismanagement and lack of foresight,” said Ejiro Edevbie, Director of the Delta Civic Transparency Network. “The government must not only investigate this but ensure these tools are put to proper use immediately.”
The State Ministry of Higher Education declined multiple requests for comment but released a brief statement acknowledging “gaps in implementation” and promising a “comprehensive audit of technical assets across tertiary institutions.”
Meanwhile, students continue to suffer the consequences. At Delta State College of Education, Warri, final-year education majors lament their inability to access basic teaching aids. “We read about them in course manuals but never get to use them,” said Mary O., a student teacher.
Experts warn that continued neglect of educational infrastructure may lead to further erosion of public trust and deepen the state’s already critical unemployment crisis, especially among youth.
As calls for transparency grow louder, the state government is now under pressure to act swiftly and restore public confidence in its commitment to quality education.
source: punchng.com
