FG Spends N50bn On Higher Institutions In Imo

The Minister of Education,
Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, has said that the Federal Government spent more than N50 billion in higher institutions located in Imo in the last three years.
Shekarau made the disclosure in Owerri while answering questions from newsmen during an Impact Assessment visit to the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede (FEDEPONEK), Imo State.
Shekarau was represented at the event by the Minister of State for Education, Prof. Viola Onwuliri.
He said the money was spent on the upgrading of infrastructure, equipment and capacity building in the institutions.
The minister said the institutions included the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education, Imo State University, Owerri and the Federal University of Technology, Owerri.
“In the last three years the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Education and Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has spent not less than N50 billion on education in Imo State.
“This expenditure is made in the area infrastructure development and human capacity building.
“Even in the state-owned university, Imo State University, the Federal Government encouraged them to start their engineering programme.
“As a matter of fact, the programme received a boost of N1.6 billion worth of engineering equipment from the Federal Government though the equipment have yet to be installed.
“We expect the state government to do what it is supposed to do with regards to mounting the equipment,’’ he said.
Earlier, the FEDPONEK Rector, Dr Cele Njoku, commended the Federal Government for its interventions in the infrastructure development in the institution through TETFund.
She later conducted the minister round some TETFund projects, including the Entrepreneurship Development Centre which has mechanical, electronics, computer and civil building sections.

L-R: Chairman, Nuj, Enugu State Council, Mr Louis Dilibe, Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (Nawoj), South-East Zonal Secretary, Ms Ozioma Okereke and Chairperson, Abia State Chapter, Ms Beatrice Odoemena, during the Nawoj Enugu State elections, recently.