Reps back proposed FCT Varsity of Science, Tech

THE House of Representatives has begun the processes of establishing a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) University of Science and Technology in the nation’s capital city.

This came just as the House Committee on FCT, organised a  public hearing on two bills for the establishment of the two tertiary institutions in the nation’s Federal Capital Territory which were totally endorsed by the stakeholders present at the public hearing.

According to the bills when passed into law by the two chambers of the National Assembly, the two higher institutions are to be located at Abaji and Yaba respectively.

The two institutions which would be the first of their kinds to be established by the FCT administration since inception, are to focus squarely on the purposes  for their establishment in line with their names.

Speaking on the importance of the establishment of the two tertiary institutions, the chairman of the Committee, Honourable Herma Hembe, said the committee would ensure it worked with its Senate counterpart for the two chambers to pass the two bills and forward them to President Muhammadu Buhari for his assent before the next academic session.

According to him, “One of the problems that contributed to this long delay is probably that one of the Chambers completed work on the bill while the other could not. It could also be that the two Chambers  were able to finish work on the bills and sent it to the President for assent but for a reason or the other he could not.

“This time, the House is going to ensure that the Senate expedites action on the bills  and send to the President for assent. The university  is ready, the facilities for its smooth take off are in place and ready to take in 200 students

“So, we are mindful of the benefits this would impact on our education system and FCT in particular and that is why we are determined this time, to make this a reality because it is unthinkable that the FCT does not have its own tertiary institution,” .

Also speaking at the public hearing, the Director of Drafting and Legal Services, FCT Administration, Mallam Isa Bin Abdullahi, suggested that the name be changed to Abuja University of Science and Technology.

He noted that the  name should be all encompassing, so that it would show that the institution is owned by the FCT and not by the city, which is part of the FCT.

On his part, a member of the committee, Hon Jonathan Gaza Gbefwi  said: “In as much as we’re looking at nomenclature, we must look at the yearning of the people and the environment. We need to go with a name that connotes ownership.”

Also speaking, the Director of department of private universities at the National Universities Commission (NUC), Abdullahi Hamza, said the name suggested for the university should be retained.

The committee, therefore, adopted the original name as contained in the draft bill while all stakeholders spoke in favour of the establishments of the two higher Institutions as contained in the two bills.

In his remarks, the Minister of FCT, Mallam. Mohammed Bello Commended the Committee members for their cooperation since he came on Board as the Minister and pleaded with them to expedite action on the passage of the bills, saying that his administration was fully ready for the smooth take off the two institutions.

Meanwhile, the House of Representatives Committee on Federal Capital Territory FCT has  approved all the clauses and sections in the proposed  Federal Capital Territory FCT College of Agriculture (Establishment, Etc) Bill 2015 to give effect to the existence of the College.

The House Committee Chairman Hon.Herman Hembe, other lawmakers as well as Education stakeholders gave the approval at a public hearing on the Bill at the National Assembly.

The Bill was titled “A Bill for an Act to Establish FCT College of Agriculture Abaji; And for Other Matters Connected Therewith”.

The Committee Chairman who doubles as the sponsor of the Bill said that the bill  sought  to establish a College of Agriculture for the Federal Capital Territory FCT.

At the public hearing, the Committee approved both parts 1, 2  and 3 of the college establishment bill as well as the title and explanatory memorandum.