Wike cancels planned relocation of state-owned varsity

Vice chancellor of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, Professor Blessing Didia, has said that the Rivers State government has no intention in relocating the university from its current location in Nkpolu, Oroworoko.

The former administration of Governor Rotimi Amaechi, had proposed the relocation of the university to the Greater Port Harcourt City, in Igwurita, Ikwerre Local Government Area.

However, the vice chancellor, said the relocation would no longer take place as Governor Nyesom Wike, has cancelled the plan.

Professor Didia disclosed the cancellation at a reception in honour of the people of Nkpolu, Oroworoko, assuring them that the university will remain at its current location.

He told the people; “you have not asked for too much. If the land belongs to me, I will ask for more. But you have only asked for what is possible. What is possible is what you have asked for. One thing I can assure you and I also told the governor. We cannot move this university to another place, the land here is enough for us to run the university.

Former Governor Rotimi Amaechi had proposed an eight year phased movement of the university to Igwurita area of Greater Port Harcourt City, at a budget of N100 billion per year.

But unconfirmed reports from the state Ministry of Education, has it that the governor could spend less that 20 per cent of the amount for a period of six years with the private sector injecting undetermined amount into the proposed relocation.

But with the fall of the price of crude oil in the international market and consequent fall in the federal allocation to the state, it is understandable why Governor Wike-led administration accepted to cancel the relocation.