From Isaac Job, Uyo
The Tertiary Education Trust Fund said it has spent N3.4bn on intervention projects at Akwa Ibom state College of Education, Afaha Nsit located in Nsit Ibom local government area of the state .
Speaking during commissioning of Administrative and ICT buildings at the College yesterday, the TETfund BoT Chairman and former governor of Katsina state Aminu Bello Masari said completion of the projects was possible through the sagacity and commitment of management of the college who diligently monitor the execution to ensure quality and successful delivery.
” The total cost of the projects to be commissioned today is N1,391,116,511.32. You may wish to know also that from the start of TETFund interventions to this College, the Fund has allocated a total of N7,388,131,247.96, for infrastructure-related projects only.
” Out of this, a total of N6,925,204,879.46 have been accessed, leaving a balance of N462,926,368.50, most of which are already committed”.
According to him, the projects were completed and handed over to the institution despite economic challenges that threaten completion of projects due to inflation in the country.
“The completion of the projects commissioned today could not have been achieved without the sagacity and commitment of the College Management who diligently monitor the execution of the projects towards ensuring quality and successful delivery in the face of economic challenges that have bedevilled smooth and successful project completion in our nation.
“Each time we see our beneficiaries complete their projects to the required standard, we are always delighted to identify with them as this showcases and justifies the huge injection of funds allocated as intervention funds by the Federal Government.
“No doubt, these projects will go a long way at improving the teaching and learning environment and the acquisition of requisite skills by students.”
Masari observed that the projects commissioning coincided with the combined convocation of the institution adding that the projects will sharpen skills of students and provide office accomodations for staff.
“I wish to congratulate the Governing Council, Provost, Management and Staff of the College for the tireless effort at ensuring the holding of the Combined Convocation of Six sets of graduates of the College today.
“It must have taken a strong resolve, hard work and determination to ensure that the Convocation holds, not minding the headwinds that had hitherto worked against it. We are happy to be associated with your success in this regard”.
Masari commended the projects contractor Yusal Teleview Nigeria Ltd and disclosed that inauguration of the projects was a pointer to progress and success in aligning with TETFund’s vision of making tertiary institutions globally relevant and competitive in the age of pronounced digital advancement.
” We are resolved as an agency of the Federal Government to keep pace with current advancements and are making significant efforts at ensuring that our beneficiary institutions are up to date, through support to acquire relevant tools of work for knowledge creation, learning, research and supporting teacher training, entrepreneurship and skills development.
“As a Fund, we will never relent at ensuring that we support our public institutions towards achieving world class status as they perform their role in educating and equipping knowledge seekers of all ages”.
Masari extended his appreciation to the governor of Akwa Ibom state ,pastor Umo Eno for ensuring that the institution actualize its core mandate of training qualified teachers in the education sector
Executive Secretary of TETfund Arch Sunday Sylva Togo Echono said the intervention agency is committed to providing necessary facilities in tertiary institutions in Nigeria .
Echono who was represented by Arch Babatunde Olajide explained that TETfund will collaborate with contractors to complete all uncompleted projects adding that fund will always assist the college for intervention projects.
” We will collaborate with contractors for completion of projects in all tertiary institutions”
The Provost of the college Prof Daniel Udo whose tenure expired yesterday requested TETfund to execute perimeter fence project in the college to safeguard facilities in the college.
” Like Oliver Twist always ask for more, I humbly request TETfund to construct perimeter fence around this college to protect all our facilities and other installations ”
