WorldStage– The House of Representatives Committee on University Education has tasked government at all levels and private stakeholders on funding of specialised universities to boost the economy of the country.
In a statement issued after an oversight of some universities in the South South, the Chairman of the committee, Rep. Abubakar Fulata (APC-Jigawa) canvassed improved in infrastructure and facilities at the Federal University of Petroleum Resources Effurum in Delta.
According to him, the institution should be one of the best universities in the country considering the role of oil and gas industry in Nigeria’s economy.
“I want to urged government and relevant stakeholders to properly fund the school and other specialised universities across the country,” he said.
The lawmaker tasked the management of universities in the zone, on collaboration with oil companies in line with Petroleum Industry Act, for support.
Fulata said that the oversight revealed that the school was in need of special funding as a specialised university.
According to him, this is in oder to enhance infrastructural facilities, compliance with FUPRE establishment Act in respect of remuneration to attract needed manpower for research and innovations as well as genuine interest of oil and gas companies in collaboration witb the school.
In a related development, Fulata said that the committee has summoned, the Vice Chancellor of the
University of Port Harcort, UNIPORT, Prof. Georgwill Owunari over allegation of non compliance with Appropriation Act.
He said that the summon was an opportunity for Owunari and the management team of the institution to provide explanations on alleged abuse of federal character principles and refusal to submit relevant documents regarding implementation of budget, 2023, 2024 and 2025 fiscal years.
The chairman said that any attempt to frustrate efforts of lawmakers in respect of spot assessment or oversight visit to facilities was not acceptable.
“We were in the University of Port Harcort last year and the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Georgwill was nowhere to be found.
“This year again we were in the school and he was not around, giving flimsy excuses, and no relevant documents were provided in relation to how the school was managed since 2023 to date.
“We are not witch-hunting anybody but what we are doing is in line with constitutional provisions. The Committee on University Education and 10th House of Representatives is determined to enhance and improve the standard of education, hence this effort we are making,” he said.
Fulata said that also to appear before the committee is the Vice Chancellor, University of Uyo, Prof. Nyaudoh Ndaeyo over alleged infractions and irreconcilable pieces of information found in the documents.
He said that the committee observed that some documents put the total number of students at about 73,000 while other documents claimed the total number of the students in the school is 42,000.
The lawmaker said that the committee is concerned over the huge amount of money spent on local and international travel by some officials of the Federal University of Technology, Ikot Ibasi in Akwa Ibon.
He urged the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Leo Daniel and the management team to prioritise leaning aids and infrastructure development ahead of expenditures on non-core issues in relation to the mandate of the institution.
