The Benue State Government has approved the conversion of two institutions – Akawe Torkula College of Advanced and Professional Studies [ATCAPS], Makurdi and Akpera Orshi College of Agriculture, Yandev – to polytechnics.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, James Agbo, said the approval was given at the executive council meeting held on Monday at Benue Peoples House, Makurdi.

The meeting was presided over by Governor Samuel Ortom.

According to him, the decision of Council to convert the two institutions to polytechnics is to enable them to meet accreditation requirements set by the National Board for Technical Education [NBTE].

“It was the considered decision of Council that while Akperan Orshi Polytechnic and Akawe Torkula Polytechnic will begin to offer fully accredited diploma courses in various disciplines with graduates of the two institutions also participating in National Youth Service Corps.

“The approval of the State Executive Council is to be sent to the State House of Assembly for amendment of the laws establishing the institutions,” Agbo said.

Also, the permanent secretary said that the State Executive Council approved the termination of contracts for the extension of electricity from Gbajimba to Tse-Akaahena in Guma local government area and the feeder road which covers Tse-Ortom-Tse-Upev-Tse-Akaahena-Nasarawa border in Guma local government area of the state.

He said that the decision of Council to terminate the two contracts was based on the fact that the contractor Dan-Ella Global Business Services Limited abandoned the projects.

He added that the company is expected to refund the sum of N54.3 million on the abandoned road project and N26.5 million on the abandoned electricity project.