The Federal Government has approved an ecological fund of N1.5 billion for erosion and flood control at the Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Ikwo (FUNAI), Ebonyi State.
The Tide learnt that the fund was attracted by the effort of the Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba, and it covers the construction of intra-campus roads, drainages, culverts, pedestrian walkways among others.
Mr. Umar Abdulkarim, the leader of the National Economical Fund office delegation who disclosed this recently said that the fund was approved by the presidency.
Abdulkarim said the fund is aimed at controlling the impact of flood and erosion on the university and hailed the commitment of the vice chancellor of the institution
“We assure the university authority that the contractor and consultants would live up to expectation in terms of quality execution of projects and their completion at the stipulated period of eight months,” he said.
The vice chancellor, Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba said the projects would reduce the ecological challenges facing the university urged the contractor, Mecca Nig. Ltd. and Project consultant, SURD Engineering Services Ltd., to bring their experiences to bear in the execution of the projects.
“We would not tolerate shoddy jobs which could lead to colossal waste of scarce resources as the university will assist them in attaining the best quality and complete the projects on time.
“It is only the quality of work that would give the contractor and consultants lasting relationships with the university,” he said.
He further highlighted the priority areas within the university environment and urged them to commence operations from there due to their direct and immediate impact on the staff, students and visitors.
The Director, Centre for Development Assistance Management, Partnership and Training in the university, Mr Chris Uwadoka, expressed happiness for the intervention of the Federal Government in checking ecological challenges in the university.
“I am very excited that the Federal Government has approved such intervention in the university at this auspicious time.
“This will make the university community more habitable for both staff and students and will assist the institution in attaining the desired enviable status of a world-class institution,” he said.
The contractor and consultant also expressed their readiness to leave positive footprints in the university through quality jobs and timely completion of the projects.