The Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has assured the authorities of the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) that the institution will enjoy unchallenged access to the parcel of land allocated to her 40 years ago by government.

Uzodimma therefore promised to work with the institution to remove all encumbrances that will militate against her expansion and service to the society as envisaged by the founding fathers many years ago.

The governor spoke on Wednesday when he paid an official visit to the FUTO, particularly with regard to reports of festering issue of land allocated to the school and intruders.

Uzodimma told the principal officers of the university that he was in the school to have first-hand information of what the problems are and to “ensure that all the encumbrances are removed and the school protected.”

The Governor reiterated that his visit was to “ensure that the school has unchallenged access to original allocation made to the school long ago”, noting that, like his predecessors, he will want to see that “the land allocated to FUTO is sustained and left for them.”

To achieve the above, the Governor sought for a united front and encouraged the institution to work in tandem with the objectives of the founding fathers.

Senator Uzodimma also informed that he was happy to hear that the Medical School of FUTO is becoming a reality.

His words: “We are very jubilant and it is a thing of joy to note that the Medical School of the Federal University of Technology Owerri has become a reality. It is therefore our responsibility to encourage the management to put in their best in sustaining the achievement so far made.”

While promising to support the University to protect and sustain the land allocation to her, the Governor urged the Vice Chancellor and the Management to ensure “regular and full tax remittances to the State Government as at when due.”

He further urged members of the Management to do their best to build perimeter fence as a way to protect the School from external aggression and interference.

He noted: “We want the school to be a complete University Community, where all the faculties including the Medical School and the Teaching Hospital are all in the same University Community.”

Welcoming the Governor and his entourage earlier at the FUTO Senate Building, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. (Mrs.) Nnenna Oti, expressed gratitude that the Governor visited them to have first-hand information of the university’s challenges.

She pledged to sustain the school’s commitment to the society, particularly as regards corporate social responsibility, by ensuring that the university pays her taxes regularly.

She also committed to a peaceful coexistence between the university, the students and the host communities.

The Governor and his entourage later visited the disputed boundaries of the allocated land.

Uzodimma was accompanied on the visit by the Deputy Governor of the State, Prof. Placid Njoku, Imo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Abutu Yaro, the Imo State Director of Security Services and members of the State Executive Council.

•PHOTO: Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma (right) with the Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Prof Nnenna Otti when the Governor visited the Institution . . . Wednesday

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