A’Ibom Approves N728m For Universities Expansion, Conversion

Akwa Ibom State  Governor Godswill Akpabio  has approved the release of N728 million for the conversion of Maritime Academy of Nigeria in Oron into a university and expansion of the state university.

A statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Usoro Usoro, last week said the expansion was for the main campus of the Akwa Ibom University at Ikot Akpaden in Mkpat Enin local government area.

A breakdown of the amount shows that N330 million is for the acquisition and payment of compensation for additional hectres of the land for the conversion of the Maritime Academy into Maritime University of Nigeria.

The N728 million includes the N396. 5 million approved for the acquisition and compensation for additional land for the expansion work at the Akwa Ibom University main campus.

The statement said the approval was part of the condition given by the National University Commission (NUC) during a visit to Akwa Ibom for an on-the-spot assessment of the two institutions.

It said NUC had after approving the conversion of the Maritime Academy into a university, insisted that the current land mass of 60 hectres be expanded to 100 hectres to accommodate all the courses envisaged for the new university.

It added that approval covered compensation for the additional 40 hectres of land acquired by the state government at Eyo Abasi in Oron local government area to meet the NUC requirement.