…School filled with excitement, commends PMB
By Dwelleth Morountodun
The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola SAN, has handed over the completed 0.6 Kilometre internal road constructed at Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike (AE-FUNAI) in Ebony State.
Speaking at the official handover of the project, the Minister revealed that no fewer than 83 federal tertiary institutions across the country have benefited from similar road projects initiated by the ministry.
The Minister who was represented by the Federal Controller of Works Federal Ministry of Works and Housing Ebonyi State, Engr. Steve Oluwadum explained that the intervention work aimed at improving the quality of education was gradually bridging the gap of our infrastructure needs in our tertiary institutions.
‘’The gap of our infrastructure needs is steadily being bridged by a gradual process of repairs, renewal and construction on major highways and it has reached the schools.” Fashola said.
The Minister described the project as an investment in education and noted that over 46 of such internal road projects have been handed over in some other tertiary institutions across the country.
“The quality of education will be impacted by the quality of infrastructure and the learning environment and those who doubt it should simply listen to some of the feedbacks from students in the schools where this type of intervention has taken place,” added, Fashola.
In his address, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Sunday Oge Elom, who was full of excitement said before the intervention, the road was practically impassable because of the quantum of dust and mud on the road during the dry and rainy seasons..
He added that the construction has improved the road network making movement of staff, students and visitors very comfortable coupled with proper channeling of drainage system.
Represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration, Prof. Abel Ebeh Ezeoha, the Vice Chancellor commended the Minister for road infrastructure provision across the country and noted that the school was seriously challenged by infrastructural gap especially in the area of internal road networks and therefore appealed for more road intervention in the institution.
Also in a remark, the Acting Director Physical Planning, Works and Services of the institution, Engr. Qsukwuoma Chidi, thanked the Minister for selecting the school among the beneficiaries of internal road infrastructure across tertiary institutions in the country, adding that there was no official request from the school but the ministry saw the need and addressed it at the school.
A student of the Music Department of the University, Mr. Okeje Promise expressed joy thanking the federal government for constructing the road which before the construction she said affected their health because of excess dust on the part way.
Signed: Blessing Lere-Adams
Director, (Press&PR).
