Gbarnga, Bong County - The current financial dilemma being faced by Cuttington University, if not tackled, could further deteriorate into eventually closure as alarmed by the President of the institution, has left many in a state of despair and increased query, FrontPageAfrica has found out.

It appears the CU President Awareness about the financial dilemma facing the University has left many lecturers shocked many particularly those who claimed marginalized by the Tokpah regime.

A vast majority of employees interviewed want administration make known as to how much the institution receives from government annually as there are conflicting reports confirming that the institution still gets USD six hundred Thousand while another report put the amount at nine hundred Thousand United States Dollars.

The head of the aggrieved workers who begged on abnormity told FPA: “We are being underpaid here at the University as the result of discrimination from the administration with the notion that the institution is still receiving fewer subsidies from government”.

The institution, he added, “experienced an unprecedented exodus of lecturers which gave rise to the influx of Sierra Leoneans at the University now”. Up to press time, neither the President of Cuttington nor his acting Press and propaganda person could be reached.

The withdrawal of support by the Episcopal Church according to the CU President is not in totality as it is being perceived as there is still a merger support of US$11, 000 which drops drastically every semester.

Dr. Tokpah in an interview with this paper said, “The withdrawal of the Episcopal Church’s support is crucial and needs immediate external intervention to avert any possibility of closure by the University”.

The CU President admitted that the institution has an annual budget US 5M of which 80% comes from students’ tuition and government’s subsidy an amount he failed to disclose.

What’s lacking?

When Dr. Tokpah took over in 2002, a credit for a course at Cuttington was put at US 25 but to the amazement of students, credit rose to US 35 during his first year despite government subsidies at the time.

A copy of last year’s National Budget obtained by FrontPageAfrica reveals an overwhelming monetary   growth in Cutington’s revenue from nine hundred Thousand to US$1.1 million.

But yet, basic facilities on campus seem unchanged; there is still a noticeable shortage of text book in the library as admitted by the President during a recent chapel program. The University still enjoys a static amount in credit at 35 USD despite an assurance by the administration deduction by Dr. Henrique Tokpah.

Togbah’s Regime under Scrutiny

Dr. Togbah has in recent years enjoyed praises from many particularly educational analysts as the result of his innovation that has witnessed the ascendency of enrollment from 400 to 2, 159.

The CU President has in recent time been caught in the web of condemnations regarding the appointment of his kinsmen into key positions at the University. A pro democracy group in Gbarnga Movement for the Emancipation of the Locals criticized him (Togbah) for being too partial in carrying on his appointment.

They said many of those appointed by Dr. Togbah don’t reflect the culture of merits but demerits. He has also been praised for building the capacity of the youth particularly those of the kpelle tribe.

Cuttington turns Political?

In recent years, Cuttington University Administration had been accused of meddling in political following the declaration of its former procurement Director Prince Moye for the seat of District #2 in Bong County which he later won.

Up to voting Day last year, Dr. Tokpah was persistently accused by Moye’s political challengers of depopulating nearby Districts by conveying people via Cuttington vehicles into Jorquelleh District for voting purposes, something he has repeatedly denied.

The CU President was also accused of misusing the institution’s resources on political trial and was heavily involved into political matters, allegations he also denied.

With Cuttington at the brink of collapse due to  low financial income, skeptics are saying g that Togbah’s plea for an external financial aid is “deliberate and a calculated attempt” to complement  his reported Senatorial bid as there have been persistent rumors of several political meetings in his honor.