VC, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba (Centre) , Registrar, Mrs. Odisa Okeke (2nd Right) and the team from the Ecological Fund Office, Abuja led by Engr., Umar Abdulkarim (3rd Right)
The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved an ecological fund worth N1. 498 billion for erosion and flood control at the Federal University Ndufu-Alike Ikwo (FUNAI), Ebonyi State.
The contract which was attracted through the tireless efforts of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba would see the construction of intra campus roads, drainages, culverts, pedestrian walkways and others, reducing the ecological challenges facing the University and its adverse effect on staff and students.
Receiving the delegates from the Ecological Fund Office, Abuja who came to take possession of the project sites, Prof. Nwajiuba expressed his sincere appreciation to President Mohammadu Buhari for approving the Fund and the Secretary Government of the Federation (SGF) for living up to the promise of ensuring the prompt release of the Fund and mobilization of the contractor to site.
The Vice Chancellor also used the opportunity to charge the contractor, Mecca Nig. Ltd and Project consultant, SURD Engineering Services Ltd to bring their experiential competences to bear in the execution of the works, noting that the University would not tolerate shoddy jobs, which in his view leads to colossal waste of scare resources. He reiterated the university’s commitment to assisting them where possible in other to ensure that the project is of the best quality and also completed on time
“It is better to do a small work of high quality than large job devoid of standard’, he said, adding that it was only the quality of work done that would give the contractor and consultant a lasting relationship with the university.
The Vice Chancellor further highlighted the priority areas within the campus, and urged the contractor to begin from those areas because of its direct and immediate positive impact on the staff and students of the University as well as visitors.
Responding, the leader of the delegate, Engr. Umar Abdulkarim, noted that the president approved the project because of its envisaged positive impact on the University, adding that the undaunted spirit and commitment of the Vice Chancellor towards getting the approval also made it possible.
He also assured the University authorities that both the contractor and consultants would live up to expectation in terms of quality of work to be done and adhering to the expected time of project completion, which is 8 months.
The contractor and consultants in their views expressed their readiness to leave positive footprints in the University through their works, stressing that quality and timeliness would be their watchword.
Meanwhile, the Director of Centre for Development Assistance Management, Partnership and Training, Mr. Chris Uwadoka has expressed his happiness for the intervention of the Ecological Fund in the University.
“I am very excited that the Federal Government has approved such intervention in the University at this auspicious time
“It will lead to the construction of roads, culverts and walkways in the University, making the campus more habitable for both staff and students
“This will definitely rub off on the status of the University as a world-class institution”, he noted.
By Marc Philips
