I Will Complete All Ongoing Projects Before I Leave Office –DELSU VC

By Ben Nwanne

All on-going projects at the Delta State University, Abraka (DELSU) will be completed within the life span of the present administration at the institution, which ends on November 30, 2024.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Andy Egwunyenga made the promise on Monday at the inspection of several building projects in the Main Campus, Site 3, Abraka.

Professor Egwunyenga who was accompanied by the Principal Officers of the University, directors and other interested staff, carefully inspected all five projects, asking probing questions to the Deans of the relevant Faculties and the contractors in charge of the projects.

The projects inspected were the massive Faculty of Arts Complex, already completed by the Delta State Government, but grappling with furnishing and environmental beautification issues; the magnificent Faculty of Management Sciences Complex, built entirely from internally generated revenue (IGR) and commissioned on May 29, 2023 by the erstwhile Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the University’s Governing Council, Professor Sam Oyovbaire; the New Science Faculty Building; the Microbiology and Geology laboratories, both of which are also Delta State Government Projects and Tetfund Special Intervention Project initially slated for the Faculty of Arts.

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At the New Faculty of Arts Building, the Vice-Chancellor inspected the furniture on ground and made suggestions on how the Faculty could optimize the use of the materials on ground and directed that the Faculty should relocate latest by the beginning of the next academic session. He was particular about the environment and commended the Faculty for its efforts at environmental enhancement and sustainability. He also suggested that the Bruce Onabrekpeya Museum should be within the new Faculty building. The Dean of Arts, Professor Nelson Edewor expressed eagerness of the Faculty to occupy its new facility, but added that the available furniture was inadequate.

The Vice-Chancellor who is giving DELSU and enlightened and committed leadership, directed that solar power should be installed in the Faculty to insulate it from power failure and enhance the security of the area, especially at night. He also directed the Dean to get the students involved, adding that the “Students should be carried along to contribute to the development of the new Faculty”.

At the magnificent Faculty of Management Science (FMS) Structure, which is also grappling with the challenge of furnishing, the Vice-Chancellor urged the contractors to expedite action so as to complete the exercise by the ending of September, especially the 800-Capacity Auditorium.

He also directed that the surroundings should be cleared and made available as car park as the Faculty would host a major event in the first week of October.

Outside the FMS building, the Vice-Chancellor told this reporter “The FMS is settling down fast. The furnishing is moving on well. We have to focus on the Auditorium. No doubt, the funding is a challenge, but we are on course”.

At the New Faculty of Science Administrative Complex and the Structure housing the Microbiology and Geology Laboratories, the Vice-Chancellor expressed delight at the high quality of job, saying “it is very solid and impressive”.

The contractors on site gave late September as the estimated completion date. The Dean of the Faculty, Professor Austin Atunuje was on hand to guide the tour and offer explanations as required by the Vice-Chancellor.

The last port of call for the inspection team was the Special Intervention Project of the Tertiary Education Fund (TETFUND), a three-floor structure where different workers were on site. The Vice-Chancellor explained that the project had suffered some setbacks but that it was back on stream as the contractor had mobilized back on site. A builder on site identified as Malam Mala promised the team that the project would be ready in about five months. The Vice-Chancellor who recently presided over the centennial inaugural lecture of the University, urged the contractors to expedite action on the project as the House of Representatives Committee would soon visit to inspect it.

In the course of the inspection, the Professor of Parasitology and Entomology left nothing to chance as he asked probing questions to elicit responses that would show the true situation of things. He physically inspected the classrooms, auditoria, the laboratories under construction and the furniture being installed.