…Ahoada, Emohua, Etche Campuses Take Off With N3bn Each
In line with his avowed commitment to deliver a new Rivers State through prudent, efficient and transparent management of available resources, Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has released the sum of N16.6 billion for the upgrade of facilities at the Rivers State University (RSU), Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt.
Speaking at a press briefing in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, Information and Communications Commissioner, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, said the gesture was in fulfillment of Governor Wike’s 2021 new year message when he promised to upgrade and expand educational infrastructure and services across all levels of the education system in the state.
Pastor Nsirim, at the briefing which also had Commissioner for Education, Prof. Kaniye Ebeku and his counterpart from the Ministry of Health, Prof. Princewill Chike in attendance, described the Wike administration as one that matched words with action, adding that the governor would continue to prioritize education and healthcare delivery as guarantee for the future progress of the State and the nation.
A breakdown of the released fund showed that the sum of N9 billion would be take-off grant for the three new campuses of the University at Ahoada, Emohua and Etche.
According to the Information Commissioner, “Each of the campuses has the sum of N3billion to cater for Faculty Building, Hostels, Offices, Libraries, Auditorium, Lecture Halls and other relevant requirements that will make the campuses function effectively”.
Pastor Nsirim who described the development as historical, noted that the Rivers State University had maintained a single campus since its establishment in October, 1980.
He expressed the view that with the establishment of the three new campuses, the communities where they are sited would be opened up for development and economic activities as well as creating jobs that would reduce the rate of unemployment in the State.
The Commissioner further disclosed that the sum of N7.6 billion has been released for the College of Medical Sciences of the university, to establish the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Clinical Sciences and the Pathology Building.
This position, he said, would properly position the College to fully commence the Programme for Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, adding that it would also give the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH) the required facilities to strengthen the accredited department and those that are due for accreditation.
The Information Commissioner also revealed that Rivers State Government has established a scholarship scheme for indigenes of the State studying at PAMO University of Medical Sciences as the school is also providing Rivers children and other Nigerians access to medical education.
“We are proud to share with you this good news coming at a time when governance has been grounded in most parts of the world because of COVID-19.
“This latest development will assist to reduce the gaps in the doctor to patient ratio in the State and Country.
“It has been reported that Nigeria is far from the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) on the required number of medical personnel to cater efficiently for its teeming population as the ratio of doctor to patient ratio is 1:2753 which translate to 36.6 medical doctors per 100,000 persons.
“We are confident that in the next few years, Rivers State will play a major role in producing medical manpower in the Country”, he said.
