Delta State Deputy Governor, Prof. Amos Utuama, SAN, has assured the academic community of Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, of government’s readiness to introduce a new and enhanced funding formula for the state’s premier tertiary institution if the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is voted into power in the March 28 and April 11 general elections in the state.

Utuama, who is the chairman of the Contact Committee of the State PDP Campaign Organisation, stated this during the week when he led 10 other members of the committee in an interactive session with the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), DELSU Branch, in Abraka.

He told the combined members of the SSSANU, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU) that the PDP considered the members of the three unions and other members of the university community as very critical and enlightened members of the society whose opinion and decisions can go a long way in is influencing the outcome of the polls.

“As members of the Contact Committee, we are convinced that you fall into the critical and highly enlightened group of people whose opinion, persuasion and decisions are critical and can really influence the outcome of any electoral contest. We are here to parley with you and seek your cooperation and ask you to join us in working towards the victory of President Goodluck Jonathan in his re-election bid, the victory of our governorship candidate, Sen. (Dr.) Ifeanyi Okowa as Governor and all other PDP legislative candidates,” Utuama said.

The deputy governor, in response to some of the requests and pleas by the leadership of the unions, promised that funding for the tertiary institution would be looked into with a view to devising a new formula for it. He also promised that the Abraka community would receive greater attention from the government if PDP is voted back into power. Utuama equally assured the senior members of the academic community of government’s determination to put in place policy that would enable each and everyone of them to own their houses.

The unions were represented by Chief Emma Egheneji, President of the Senior Staff Club of DELSU, and Prof. Abel Diakpomrere, the DELSU ASUU Chairman. The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Victor Peretomode, was also in attendedance.

Prof. Utuama was accompanied by Capt. (Dr.) Pius Sinebe, Chief Judith Enamuotor, Sir Tom Amioku, Senator Nwajie and Rt Hon. Basil Ganagana and Rear Admiral John Kpokpogiri, among others.

•Photo shows Prof. Utuama.