Nigerian Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola has revealed that no fewer than 83 federal tertiary institutions across the country has benefited so far from the internal road project initiated by the ministry.
Fashola disclosed this when handing over the completed 0.6 Kilometre internal road constructed at Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu- Alike (AE-FUNAI) in Ebony State recently.
The Minister who was ably represented by the Federal Controller of Works of the Ministry Ebonyi State, Engr. Steve Oluwadum explained that the intervention work aimed at improving the quality of education was gradually bridging the gap of the infrastructure needs in tertiary institutions.
According to the statement released by Ministry Spokesperson, “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”, the Minister said.
Fashola 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 nation.
“The quality of education will be impacted by 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,” he added.
In his address, the vice Chancellor Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike Ebonyi State, Prof. Sunday Oge Elom said that 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.
“But now the construction has improved the road network making movement of staff, students and visitors very comfortable coupled with proper channeling of drainage system”, Elom added.
Represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration, Prof. Abel Ebeh Ezeoha, the Vice Chancellor commended the Minister for these 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.
During an interview session with the Acting Director Physical Planning, Works and Services of the institution, Engr. Qsukwuoma Chidi, he 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.
He said that the construction has relieved the school as they can drive on the road seamlessly and pledged that the school management would make sure that the road was maintained.
A student of the Music Department of the University, Okeje Promise was full of excitement as she thanked the Federal Government for constructing the road which before construction she said affected their health because of excess dust on the part way.
She added that the project has also checked the impact of seasonal flooding within and around the school environment and makes learning more conducive.
The handover ceremony was witnessed by top management staff of the school among them were: the School Registrar, Mrs. Odisa Okeke, the School Librarian, Mrs. Juliana Akidi, Deans of Schools, and Faculty Heads, Students and the Contractor, Messrs Pazim Construction Ltd.