16.6 BILLION NAIRA RELEASED FOR THE UPGRADE OF FACILITIES AT THE RIVERS STATE UNIVERSITY IN PORT HARCOURT

The Rivers State Government has released the sum of Sixteen-Point-Six Billion Naira for the upgrade of facilities at the Rivers State University in Port Harcourt.

The State Commissioner of Information and Communications, Paulinus Nsirim who announced this while briefing newsmen in Port Harcourt, said out of the Sixteen-Point-Six Billion Naira released, Nine Billion Naira would serve as take-off grant for the three proposed satellite campuses of the University at Ahoada, Emohua and Etche, while three Billion Naira would be devoted to each of the new campuses for the construction of faculty buildings and other facilities.

Nsirim also disclosed that the government had released the sum of Seven-Point-Six Billion Naira to enable the College of Medical Sciences of the Rivers State University to establish the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Clinical Sciences and Pathology Building.

He described the move by Governor Wike as a landmark development in the history of the institution since its establishment in 1980, pointing out that the establishment of the three satellite campuses will enhance development and economic activities of the people of the areas.

Also speaking, the State Commissioner for Health, Professor Princewill Chike said with the release of the funds by the Governor, the College of Medical Sciences can operate as a full-fledged College with all its required programmes running.

Prof Chike said the gesture would also facilitate accreditation of certain departments in the College of Medical Sciences of the University, emphasizing that the Medical Schools will be of immense benefit to residents of the state in particular and Nigerians at large.

On his part, the State Commissioner for Education, Professor Kaniye Ebeku stressed that the release of the funds for the take-off of the three campuses had proven critics wrong when the Governor announced the establishment of the three satellite campuses of Rivers State University in Ahoada, Etche and Emohua in the State.

He commended Governor Wike for his giant strides in the education sector saying the effective take-off of the three campuses will bring education closer to the people in the rural areas.

Radio Rivers Correspondent, Francis Golden quotes Professor Ebeku as saying that Governor Wike is committed in repositioning the education sector for optimal performance in the state.