House Of Reps Seeks Accreditation For Federal College Of Dental Technology

The House of Representatives has urged the Nigerian Government to direct the National Universities Commission to revisit the College of Dental Technology and Therapy and provide the necessary accreditation as required by law.

The Lawmajers said this would enable the full implementation of the Federal College of Dental Technology and Therapy (Establishment) Act, 2007 as a degree awarding institution.

This was sequel to a motion on ” Need for full Implementation of the Federal College of Dental Technology and Therapy (Establishment) Act, 2017″ by Honourable Benjamin Okezie Kalu.

The House also mandated the Committees on Tertiary Education, Health Institutions and Legislative Compliance (when constituted) to ensure compliance.

The motion noted that “the National Assembly enacted the Federal College of Dental Technology and Therapy (Establishment) Act, 2017, and under Section 6(a) of the Act, the College is empowered to award degrees, diplomas, and certificates for courses provided under the Act;

It further notes that the Federal College of Dental Technology and Therapy (Establishment) Act, 2017 which provided a legal framework for the College was established in 1955 and has been fully operational aimed at empowering the institution to help reduce capital flight on the one hand and service the critical medical and health manpower need of the nation on the other hand.

“Aware that the College has been funded by the annual National Budget and is well-positioned both in manpower and infrastructure to take off in line with the new mandate as provided for in by the Federal College of Dental Technology and Therapy (Establishment) Act, 2017;

“Also aware that a visitation report from the National Universities Commission (NUC) confirmed that the College is fully equipped with the availability of adequate manpower and facilities to offer degree-awarding courses of study as required by the NUC, as the College is duly qualified to function in line with the new mandate.

“Worried that despite meeting all requirements, the National Universities Commission insists that the College may operate only in affiliation with the Federal University of Technology Owerri, thereby obstructing the full implementation of the Federal College of Dental Technology and Therapy (Establishment) Act, an Act of the National Assembly duly passed and given Presidential assent in 2017, while also violating section 4(1)(a) of the National Universities Commission Act, Cap N81, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004,” it said.

Confidence Okwuchi