The Bayelsa State Government over the weekend flagged off a special programme, intended to provide critical infrastructure in its tertiary institutions, with the presentation of N500 million to A & K Construction Company, the contractor handling the Senate building project of the Niger Delta University (NDU), Amassoma.

Governor Seriake Dickson made the presentation of the cheque while performing the ground-breaking ceremony for the Senate building and a three-kilometre internal road project at the university’s permanent site. He assured that the government would aggressively pursue the implementation of the programme to give the institutions the desired face-lift.

Describing the NDU as a foremost university in Ijaw land, he said that government has already made provision for the programme in the 2017 Budget by setting aside N10 billion as infrastructure development fund in all the tertiary institutions.

According to Governor Dickson, more than 50% of this amount will be channeled to the provision of critical infrastructure at the university to create a befitting environment for academic activities.

The Governor disclosed that about N50 billion has been expended on various educational projects and programmes in the last five years, especially at the primary and secondary school levels. He said his administration would now focus on investing on high quality infrastructures at the tertiary level.

While launching what he called, “Operation Change NDU”, Governor Dickson charged the contractor to deliver the two projects according to specifications within one year.

In their separate remarks, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Lawrence Ewrudjakpo, and his Education counterpart, Elder Markson Fefegha, expressed confidence in the restoration government’s ability to replicate its achievements in the secondary school sub sector, in terms of infrastructure development at the tertiary level.

According to Mr. Ewrudjakpo, the three-kilometre road project, which is expected to be completed in three months, is designed to link the old and new campuses of the university.

In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the Niger Delta University, Prof. Humphrey Ogoni, expressed delight at the flag-off of the projects, noting that their completion would not only give face-lift, but also attract respect to the institution.

•Photo by Lucky Francis shows Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson (2nd right), assisted by his Deputy, retired Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah (3rd right); Commissioner of Finance, Mr. Maxwell Ebibai (3rd left); and Vice Chancellor of Niger Delta University, Prof. Humphrey Ogoni (right), handing over a draft of the sum of N500 million to the Managing Director of A and K Construction Company, Mr. George Marun (2nd left), as mobilisation for the construction of a modern Niger Delta University (NDU) Senate Building at Amassoma in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the State, while the Chief of Staff, Government House, Rt. Hon. Talford Ongolo (left), looks on.

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