Kebbi State Government is to embark on massive infrastructural development in the state owned Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Aliero.
The Commissioner for Higher Education, Alhaji Isah Abubakar Tunga, made this known while speaking with newsmen in Birnin Kebbi this Thursday.
He explained that as part of the efforts of Governor Nasir Idris to improve infrastructure in the institution, 50 houses would be renovated as well as a Mosque, while new ones would be constructed including additional hostels for students and staff quarters.
Reacting to a press conference by the State Wing of ASUU earlier in the day, the Commissioner announced that Governor Nasir Idris, in his capacity as an educationist, has placed premium on educational development of Kebbi State, and would uphold the position of the University among the ten best states’ owned universities in the country.
“The press conference by ASUU this morning was hasty, the union chairman should have contacted me for an update on the payment of their consequential adjustment. The memo I submitted to the Governor has been forwarded to the Due Process Office”,
“Due Process has completed work on the file, immediately the Governor returns from the Hajj, he will give his approval and payment will be effected”, he assured.
He further explained that Governor Nasir Idris His has already increased cash allocation to the University from N5 million to N15 million. This according to him enabled the management to offset part of the arrears owed lecturers.
‘ The Branch ASUU Chairman was a beneficiary, he rang me to say ‘thank you’,” the Commissioner added.
Alhaji Isah Abubakar Tunga disclosed that processes were being finalised to secure N1. 5 billion Tetfund for the Aliero University.
” I am appealing to all citizens to remain patient and rally round the benevolent administration of Comrade, Dr. Nasir Idris, Kauran Gwandu, within the limited resources of the state, he has satisfied the enormous demands of the people”, the Commissioner emphasised.
He announced that the governor has approved N119 million for the first convocation of the Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Aliero, to graduate 12 sets of graduands, which has not been held since the establishment of the institution.
In addition, he said Comrade Nasir Idris approved N40 million for the accreditation of courses of the College of Sciences, while N10 million additional monthly salary was also approved.
“The lingering issues in the University was inherited from the previous administration, Kauran Gwandu has acted swiftly to resolve them. He has itemised nine priority areas for intervention”, Alhaji Tunga said.
“The Governor has set up a committee comprising membership from Higher Education and Health for the conversion of the Kebbi Medical Centre, Kalgo, into a Teaching Hospital for the KSUSTA. Kaura is highly committed to the progress and excellence of the University, basic and tertiary education in Kebbi”, the Commissioner reiterated.
On Security, the Higher Education Commissioner, expressed satisfaction about the security apparatus and structure in the university.
He explained that the incident of the kidnap of a lecturer happened inside Aliero Town and not in the university campus, while the threat of assassination against another academic Staff took place outside the University gate as the lecturer went to seek for shelter under a shed during rainfall when he was confronted by two strangers.
