A coordinator of an computer centre accredited for Computer Based Test (CBT) in Isuochi, Umunneochi LGA of Abia State escaped the beating of his life, Saturday, after a power failure prevented candidates from taking their tests.
The ‘JAMB’ centre, known as Ihechukwu Madubuike Institute of Technology, Isuochi, is one of the most popular UTME accredited centres in Abia State because of large number of candidates that use the facility.
Trouble started on Saturday when the first examination timed for 7-9 am was delayed after the power generator set serving the facility developed a fault, making the computer sets to switch off.
Initially, the candidates were assured of quick restoration of light by the management of the centre as they claimed that the outage was caused by shortage of petrol in their gen set.
But all efforts made to restart the generator were unsuccessful, making it impossible for the candidates to take their tests.
On realising that the generator had packed up, the coordinator of the centre, identified as “Aristotle” sneaked out the centre with the promise of replacing the faulty generator.
This frustrating angered the UTME candidates and their parents as they accused Ihechukwu Madubuike Institute of technology of sabotaging their university admission ambitions while other candidates threatened to damage the computer sets belonging to the institute.
It took the intervention of some parents who accompanied their children to the venue, before the students were calmed down.
At the Abia State headquarters of Joint Admission Matriculations Board (JAMB) a representative of Federal Ministry of Education Abuja and Resident Monitor in charge of JAMB, Mrs Aramu Atinuke appealed for calm from the disappointed candidates and their parents, assuring that a new date may fixed for them to retake the stalled tests.
News Echo gathered that some of the JAMB candidates were sponsored by Hon Nkeiruka Onyejiocha, the member representing Isukwuato/Umunneochi federal constituency.
Some of the candidates are orphans and those from poor homes who received sponsorship from the House member to register for West African Examinations Council, National Examinations Council (NECO) and Unified Tertiary Matriculations Examinations (UTME).
