Lagos — Governor  Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom state has flayed the Federal Government's plan to scrap Higher National Diploma (HND) programmes in the polytechnics across the country.

Receiving a delegation of Heads of Polytechnics and Colleges of Education in Nigeria yesterday in Uyo, Akpabio urged the Federal Government to reconsider the decision.

Represented by his deputy, Patrick Ekpotu, the governor said polytechnic education was crucial to the overall development of the country's economy.

"I do believe that HND programmes are meant to serve a purpose; they are meant to stimulate the economy and workforce by providing the middle level manpower, " he said as he called for adequate planning before decisions are taken on issues with serious implications for the future of the country.

Akpabio, however, said that the state government was prepared to support the state polytechnic at Ikot Osura to award degrees as obtained in other parts of the world.

NAN reports that the heads of the institutions were in Uyo for the 112th regular meeting of the body.

Chairman of the body and Rector of Husseni Adamu Federal Polytechnic, Kazaure, Jigawa state , Dr Muazu Kazaure, told the governor that the meeting would discuss its response to the plan.

He solicited the state government's support towards ensuring a review of the Federal Government's decision to "save the nation from imminent technological collapse".

Kazaure commended Akwa Ibom government for its commitment towards the development of the state polytechnic.

NAN recalled that the Minister of State for Education, Hajiya Aishatu Dukku, last weekend announced that the planned phasing out of HND from polytechnics would commence soon.The minister told NAN last Saturday in Abuja that the HND would be replaced with the Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech.) to be awarded by selected polytechnics.