Nigerian Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola has reaffirmed that the commitment and actual execution of internal road network project, intervention in various federal Tertiary Institutions has greatly impacted on increased quality of education in Nigeria.
Fashola who was represented by the Federal Controller of Works in Enugu State, Engr. Tony Animaku confirmed this during the commissioning and hand over of the 0.8-kilometer road rehabilitated by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing on behalf of the Federal Government at University of Nigeria, Enugu campus (UNEC).
Speaking further, the Minister said that 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.
According to the statement released by the Ministry Spokesperson, adding that It is undebatable that the quality of education as attested to by students themselves has greatly impacted on by the quality of these recent Federal Government infrastructure.
These are some of the feedback from student in the schools such as this one in the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC) where these varied types of intervention has taken place.
The Minister also confirmed that the Ministry has successfully intervened in 64 Internal Road Projects in various Federal Tertiary Institutions and handed over a total of 46 as at March, 2022 and has another 18 ready to be handed over, while currently attending to 19 roads in similar institutions across the country making a total of 85.
“Among the several students interviewed, they all expressed renewed enthusiasm with regards to attending classes because of some of these defective roads, which have been restored to good condition, making them happier walking with ease to attend lectures across their different Faculties and Departments where these road network rehabilitations were carried out.
“President Muhammadu Buhari’s consistent progressive ideal of improving the human condition continues with the hand over of this 0.8-kilometer road in the University of Nigeria, Enugu campus (UNEC) as a critical intervention to support education in Nigeria.
Fashola also stressed that although this is a civil works project, yet it is both an investment in education and the Nigerian Economy.
Saying infrastructure is the key needed for unlocking the Economy for speedy development, according to him the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration has achieved advancement of the Nigerian economy through massive and visible Infrastructure development.
“For instance, the creation of employment and market for small and medium enterprises at construction sites ‘Infrastructure is the key that unleashes trade and productivity.
“And without infrastructure you can’t drive trade and commerce’ This is so because during construction period over 100 people were employed in the process contributing to the creation initiatives of Government. It is hoped that the school will ensure that this asset is used properly and not abused”.
Earlier, the Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University Prof. Edith O. Nwosu, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Work Services, UNEC, Engr. Udechukwu Chukwuemeka, appreciated the Federal Government efforts for considering the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus worthy of this lofty venture which the Federal Controller of Works in Enugu handled.
“The road network actually gave a face lift to the internal roads we have in the University, most importantly the Nnmadi Azikiwe drive transverse, through the major Faculties we have in UNEC, we have about five (5) Faculties we have the Faculties of Law, Basic Medical Sciences, Business Administration, Health Sciences and Environmental Sciences (80%) Eighty percent of the students stream this road to attend their lectures.
“The University is deeply grateful to the Federal Government and the Ministry of Works and Housing”.
Some student who spoke expressed satisfaction with the ease of walking conveniently through these road network within UNEC – Mr Amobi Ezekiel a Law student was all smiles of appreciation to FG, the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, Miss Chisom Elizabeth.
Also a Law student affirmed what her course mate had earlier said, it was a very colourful ceremony and the entire University Community, the shuttle bus drivers especially were all full of gratitude for the rehabilitation of these internal road network within UNEC.
