The Students of University of Benin (UNIBEN), Edo State, have expressed their happiness and gratefulness to the Federal Government of Nigeria for reinstating of Gully Erosion, connecting road at the Ugbowo Campus in the school.
In a statement released by Works and Housing Director, Press and Public Relations, Blessing Lere- Adams on Wednesday, as the Minister, Babatunde Fashola handed over the reinstatement of Gully Erosion and connecting road to the school.
Before the completion of the project some staff and students residing close to Ugbowo UNIBEN Campus, residents in Iguo-Osaigie and other surroundings in Uhunmwonde Local Government Area of Edo were about to be cut off because of the ravaging gully erosion in the area.
A student from Faculty of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Courage Uchemefune who was at the event said, “I used to work as a dispatch rider, the road was not really good, I appreciate Federal Government for working on the road and the gully erosion, UNIBEN needs more intervention of this type”.
Another 300 level student of Animal Science, Edogiawerie Jason said the road was no go area before the intervention work of the Federal Government, he thanked the Ministry for remembering the institution.
During the commissioning the Minister said, “It is true that a lot of work needs to be done in many sectors of our national life, including education, the Buhari government has stepped up to lead the process of getting that work done”.
Fashola who was ably represented by the Edo State Controller of Works, Engr. (Dr ) Aransiola Ademola said, “the structural work and the water drainage were professionally displayed and the filling of sand is about 7 metres high.”
Also speaking is the UNIBEN Vice Chancellor, Professor Lilian Salami in her remarks said, “this gully erosion has taken its toll on critical areas of development of the University over the years, it is not in doubt.
“The good news is that we made our pleas and cries to government and the pleas have received the desired attention of government and we are today savouring the result of a government that listens and acts .
She said, “kudos must also go to our worthy Alumnus of the University, Minister of Works and Housing Babatunde Raji Fashola for his commitments to the successful implementation of the project”.
The Executive Officer, Edo State flood Erosion and Watershed Management Agency, Dr Tom Obaseki said, “We are very happy to see that the reinstatement of gully Erosion and connecting road is completed today, we are always available to support the Federal Government in executing project”
The Manager of the Construction Company, Levant Construction Ltd in charge of the project Engr Albert Abboud said, ‘we have delivered many projects and handed them over to the government, this road was washed because of erosion and it was not motorable before we completed the project”.