Ahead of its new Technical University status, the government of Sierra Leone, through the Ministries of Technical and Higher Education and Finance respectively, on Thursday 28th March 2024, paid severance benefits to 513 staff of the Milton Margai Technical University (MMTU). All qualified staff will now have to apply for the new University Status.
Government has paid Le14 billion old Leones out of the Le29 billion old Leones owed to staff of the MMTU, as part payment of their end of service benefits, to those who served from the Teachers’ College onto Polytechnic statuses.
The presentation of cheques to the beneficiaries took place at the Great Hall of Goderich campus in Freetown, and was witnessed by various stakeholders, including the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), the Tertiary Education Commission, Members of Parliament and the media.
The Vice Chancellor and Principal of MMTU, Professor Dr. Philip John Kanu, observed that the payment was paid at a time when his name has been tarnished that he had embezzled the funds and bought houses abroad, adding that some staff left the institution after many years of dedicated service, while others protested for their end of service benefits, although others stayed and remained loyal to his leadership.
He furthered that some staff even took him to court, reported him to the Anti-Corruption Commission, the Human Rights Commission and even Parliament, but that in all of these cases, he was vindicated.
According to Professor Dr. Philip John Kanu, his three objectives are to facelift the MMTU, provide quality assurance with the production of sound students, and transforming the institution into a Technical University, all of which he has accomplished. He informed that one of his five-year strategic plans is to advance the institution, and acclaimed the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education for its support in guaranteeing that the balance end of service benefits would soon be paid by government, based on the availability of funds.
The Vice Chancellor and Principal also warned staff, who are still in the habit of harassing female students for sex, selling pamphlets to students and engaged in other forms of extortion, to desist or be sacked and prosecuted, and encouraged staff not to smear the good image of the institution.
Earlier in his welcome statement, the Vice Principal and Director of Studies, MMTU, Dr. Mohamed Alie Jalloh, described the event as very important, a day of joy and pride, and commended all for their patience, as the matter of end of service benefits to staff has been finally laid to rest.
The Chancellor of the MMTU, Dr. Victor Kabia, said the MMTU is delighted to cross another bridge, observing that some people can endure challenges while others cannot, adding that some staff were insincere during the whole process, and commended the government for providing the funds, noting that three years after the pronouncement, the MMTU has still not started functioning as a full-fledge Technical University.
Dr. Kabia also urged former staff of the MMTU to support the institution, especially its Endowment Fund, furthering that they can be called upon at any time to support MMTU, adding that the institution is dear to them and that 85% of the operations of renowned universities like Harvard, Cambridge and Oxford are through their Endowment Funds. He assured that the MMTU would write good projects that would attract funding.
The Member of Parliament representing the Parliamentary Committee on Technical and Higher Education, Hon. Sylvanus Boima, expressed pleasure in being able to witness the event, adding that their three main functions are to enact laws, provide oversight and represent their people.
He also recalled that they visited MMTU in October last year, during which period the administration highlighted their challenges, including the payment of end of service benefits to staff, for which government promised to pay the money in the first quarter of this year. He commended all for their patience and understanding.
The representative of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Ibrahim Sorie Kamarkeh, said the ACC is happy for the development, recalling last year when they conducted the system and processing review of the institution, and that one of their recommendations was the payment of end of service benefits to staff. He commended MMTU for complying with over 90% of their recommendations.
The President of the Academic Staff Association, Mr. Bashiru Kebbey, said his number one priority when he assumed office was the payment of end of service benefits to staff, and extolled all those who facilitated the very transparent and accountable process, assuring that government would soon make available the balance payment.
Highlights of the event was the presentation of cheques to the beneficiaries in alphabetical order.