Kebbi State government is set to embark on massive infrastructural development in the state-owned Kebbi State University of Science and Technology situated in Aliero town.
The State Commissioner for Higher Education, Alhaji Isah Abubakar Tunga, made this known on Thursday while speaking with newsmen in Birnin Kebbi the State capital.
He explained that as part of the efforts of Governor Nasir Idris to improve infrastructure in the institution, 50 houses would be renovated as well as a mosque, while new ones would be constructed including additional hostels for students as well as building quarters for staff.
Reacting to a press conference by the State Wing of ASUU earlier in the day, the Commissioner announced that Governor Nasir Idris, in his capacity as an educationist, has placed a premium on education development of Kebbi State, and would uphold the position of the University among the ten best state-owned universities in the country.
“The press conference by ASUU this morning was hasty, the union chairman should have contacted me for an update on the payment of their consequential adjustment. The memo I submitted to the Governor has been forwarded to the Due Process Office
“Due Process has completed work on the file, immediately the Governor returns from the Hajj, he will give his approval and payment will be effected,” he said.
He stated further that Governor Idris has already increased cash allocation to the University from N5 million to N15 million. This, according to him, enabled the management to offset part of the arrears owed lecturers.
“The University ASUU branch Chairman was a beneficiary, he rang me to say ‘thank you.” the Commissioner added.
Alhaji Isah Abubakar Tunga disclosed that arrangements have been finalised to secure N1.5 billion TETFund donation for Aliero University.
“I am appealing to all citizens to remain patient and rally around the benevolent administration of Comrade, Dr Nasir Idris, within the limited resources of the state, he has satisfied the enormous demands of the people,” he added.
Continuing, the Commissioner said that the governor has approved N119 million for the first-ever convocation of the Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Aliero, to graduate 12 sets of graduands, since the establishment of the institution twenty years ago.
In addition, he disclosed that the Governor has also approved N40 million for the accreditation of courses of the College of Sciences, while N10 million additional monthly salary was also approved.
The lingering issues in the University, according to the Commissioner, were inherited from the previous administration in the state, pointing out that the state governor has acted swiftly to resolve them and has itemised nine priority areas for intervention.
He added that the Governor has also set up a committee comprising membership from Higher Education and Health for the conversion of the Kebbi Medical Centre, Kalgo, into a Teaching Hospital for the state-owned university, noting that Governor Idris is highly committed to the progress and excellence of the university.
On Security, the Higher Education Commissioner expressed satisfaction with the security apparatus and structure in the university.
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