By SIMON EBEGBULEM

BENIN — Youths in Auchi, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State, under the aegis of Auchi Youths for Initiative, AYI, yesterday, locked out staff of Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, for several hours in protest over alleged marginalisation of indigenes of the host community by the management of the institution in employment opportunities.

The youths  were demanding that out of the 200 positions available, they should be given 80 slots in the ongoing employment exercise in the polytechnic, noting  that the 15 slots allocated to the host community was inadequate.

Reacting to the allegation, the management of the Polytechnic, said no  particular number of slots had been allotted to the community, explaining that due process was being followed in the employment exercise.

The youths, who stormed the polytechnic at  6am, locked the Central Administrative Building of the polytechnic,  thereby,  preventing the Rector and other key officials of the polytechnic from gaining access to their offices.

Spokesman and secretary of the group, Mr. Mathias Braimah, alleged that the management of the polytechnic had marginalised the host community in the past five years, adding that they had also been denied  contracts in the institution.

But spokesman of the Polytechnic, Mr. Mustapha,  said that the youths were either ignorant of the employment procedures  or were being used by detractors, who are not happy with the prevailing peace in the Polytechnic.

He said: “This is a federal  institution. While we follow procedures, we also acknowledge the fact that federal character exits when carrying out employment. For one to work here,  he has to be qualified. we have no particular individual or interest group to satisfy.”