The House of Representatives has called for a full implementation of the Federal College of Dental Technology and Therapy (Establishment) Act, 2017.
It urged the Federal Government to direct the National Universities Commission to revisit the College, and provide the necessary accreditation as required by law to enable the full implementation of the Act, as a degree awarding institution.
The Committees on Legislative Compliance, Tertiary Education, and Health Institutions (when constituted) were mandated to ensure compliance.
These resolutions followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by the Deputy Speaker of the House, Hon Benjamin Kalu, who represents Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State.
The House noted that the National Assembly enacted the Federal College of Dental Technology and Therapy (Establishment) Act, 2017, and pursuant to Section 6(a) of the Act, the College is empowered to award degrees, diplomas, and certificates for courses provided for under the Act.
It further noted 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 was 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.
The House said it was aware that the College, all along, 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.
It said it was 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 and as such the College is duly qualified to fully function in line with the new mandate.
The House was worried that despite meeting all necessary requirements, the National Universities Commission insisted 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.