The senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District of Delta State, Chief Ede Dafinone, on Monday, paid an unscheduled visit to Sapele Technical College, the second oldest technical college in Nigeria, lamenting the present state of dilapidation of the institution.
He, however, promised to work with the government at all levels to reposition the once-famous college.
During the visit, the lawmaker met with students, teachers, and community leaders, noting that the current state of disrepair of the college is worrisome but vowed to work with relevant stakeholders to upgrade the school in line with his election campaign promises to build on previous representation in the next four years.
Sapele Technical College, aside from being the second oldest technical college after Yaba Technical College, is the first technical school in Delta, and it is owned by the state government.
The PUNCH gathered that Sapele Technical College, which has been without power for the past two years, also has its workshops for practicals in complete disrepair.
While welcoming Senator Dafinone, the College Principal, Mrs. Itawansa Rosemary, gave a heartbreaking account of how she came to the school one and a half years ago and how she met the school in a bad state.
According to the Principal, the lack of power supply has made it impossible to run the workshops, while the students have been forced to learn in the darkness.
Consequently, she said, the students are frustrated, and the teachers are demoralised.
The Principal also said that the College has been the target of vandalism as thieves have broken into the workshops and stolen tools and equipment.
“It’s like a nightmare,” she said. “We’re just trying to keep the school going, but it’s an uphill battle”, she stated.
The Senator was then conducted around the school premises, with a visit to some of the departments, which include the automobile, electrical, and furniture workshops.
Moved by the school Principal’s testimony and the pathetic sights, Senator Dafinone promised to do everything he can to bring positive development to the college, assuring that he would work with the state and federal governments to get the power restored and also look into other ways to improve the school’s infrastructure.
He said, “I’m not going to make any promises that I can’t keep. But I can promise that I’m going to do everything I can to help this school.
“This is a fact-finding visit. I understand what our community wants. I will carry that message to the state and to the federal levels and be sure that we are doing the right thing. And I know what the end goal is and will be sure that we carry it out.”