1st November, 2017
Jethro Ibileke/Benin
Authority of the University of Benin (UNIBEN), has appealed to the Federal government to assist the institution with funding for the ongoing projects in the University.
The Director of Projects and Planning (DPP), Arch. Timmy Ikhisemojie, made the call during a guided tour of the institution by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman Governing Council of the University, Isah Ashiru and the Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu.
Notable among the projects inspected by the delegation, include a proposed 300-capacity female students’ hostel; Post Graduate students’ hostels for male and female students which were the 2012/2013 NEEDS assessment projects, and the proposed Block 24 College of Medical Sciences in the Faculty of Medical Sciences of the University funded by the federal government but, had been abandoned.
Others include, the proposed 500 seating capacity Lecture theatre of Science Laboratory Technology funded by TETFUND, the proposed 500 capacity Lecture Theatre and office Block for staff in the Department of Mathematics, Statistics as well as Computer Sciences in the Department of Mathematics (UNIBEN).
Also inspected are, the proposed Library complex at Ekehuan Campus of the University which were among the 2012/2013 NEEDS assessment project, and the Centre of Excellence for Reproduction Health Initiative (CERHI) – World Bank assisted project at Ugbowo Compus of the University.
Addressing journalists at the end of the exercise, the Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, who was represented by a Deputy Director, Federal Ministry of Education, Mrs. Charity Orgar, said the University was doing well.
“We have seen the good work here. We have also seen the work that is ongoing. Together, we have comments and observations and we hope that with the appropriate amend, things will get better.”
Also speaking, the Chairman, Governing Council of the University, Isah Ashiru, expressed satisfaction with the level of work done by most of the contractors, but he warned that any project that does not comply wit project specification, will be revoked.
He assured that “by March 2018, the projects would be commissioned after the 2017 Convocation Ceremonies of the University.
“We should be commissioning the projects in March next year, after the Convocation Ceremonies she scheduled tentatively for November 2017.”