The Delta Government has described as untrue the allegation that it was proliferating the state with universities and at the same time failed to pay salaries of staff of its pioneer university in Abraka.
Speaking to newsmen at the end of the Delta state’s Executive Council meeting in Asaba, the Commissioner for Higher Education, Professor Patrick Muoboghare said the state did not owe its workers salaries adding that “no state or federal university earns what our lecturers earn in our universities”.
Muoboghare was reacting to claims by the Chairman of the University of Lagos branch of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on Channels Television on Tuesday, that the state was unable to pay its lecturers and yet set up three universities, insisting that the comment was untrue, a blatant lie and crass mischief.
“Some of the reasons why ASUU goes on strike do not exist in DELSU and no federal university pays as much as DELSU.
“Upon retirement, our lecturers are placed on pension immediately and this can be verified.
“People are free to have opinions but facts must be sacred,” he said.
Muoboghare added that the Nigerian Universities Commission had given approval for the commencement of academic programmes in some faculties in the three new universities in the state for the 2021/2022 academic session.
On the outcome of the meeting, the Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, said that the council approved the release of N600 million counterpart-fund for SDGs to finance the 2020 scheme in the state.
Aniagwu also said that the council approved the determination of contract for the construction of 50 units of two and three-bedroom houses awarded by the state government at Ibusa since 2013.
According to him, the state government would embrace Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) arrangement to fast-track the project.
“At today’s Exco meeting, we also approved the appointment of Michael Onodowo as Regent of Igbide Kingdom in Isoko South Local Government Area and Dr Sunday Owoupele as Ebenanaowei of the Tarakiri Kingdom in Patani Local Government Area.
“Exco also approved terms of allotment of factory plots to investors at the Agro-Industrial Park at Aboh-Ogwashi to enable investors to come into fast-track the commencement of the industrial park.
“The council also approved the construction of road and stormwater drains behind the new state secretariat to link the drains to the Okpanam Road storm drainage.
“We also approved the construction of General Hospital at Ute-Okpu in Ika North East Local Government Area to address health challenges of the communities in the area,” he said.
Aniagwu further said that Exco approved N456 million for payment of athletes who won medals at the just-concluded National Sports Festival “Edo 2020” and the transfer of the School of Marine Technology, Burutu, from the Ministry of Transport to Ministry Higher Education for better management and supervision.
Also speaking, Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Prince Emma Amgbaduba said Exco approved guidelines for the location and regulation of gas plants and fuel stations in the state.
“Following the embargo earlier placed on the siting of gas stations in the state, the State Executive Council has approved the siting of petrol and gas stations in the state with stringent conditions.
“Existing ones would be given time to upgrade according to the new regulations,” he said.
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