Works Minister assures of FG’s Intervention in University of Ibadan Deplorable Road Network

The Minister of Works, Sen. (Engr.) David Umahi has assured the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Kayode Adebowale of the Federal Government’s commitment of providing immediate intervention in the deplorable internal road network of the institution.

The Minister gave the assurance during his tour and assessment of the state of the road on the campus at University of Ibadan on Saturday.

He stated that following the interaction he had with the Chairman of the Institution Board, Baba Akande who requested that he should come and look at the internal road of the university, he came and what he saw was discouraging.

“I think we should do more in our older institutions than creating new ones. The infrastructure and houses need very serious attention and there are no good roads to the university,” the minister said.

Umahi said the government would prioritise rehabilitation of internal roads using concrete pavement along with solar-powered streetlights and possibly Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) camera installations for enhanced security in the university.

Umahi, who was accompanied by top officials of the ministry, including engineers and directors from Lagos and Oyo stated that he had directed the university to submit a comprehensive layout of its road network and put in their priorities, 1, 2,3 and 4, then we will see where we have to intervene.

The minister affirmed that the University of Ibadan would be the first of several tertiary institutions to benefit, with similar assessments planned for Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

Fielding questions from news men as to whether the intervention would stop at three universities, Umahi said, “You start from one, then you count two. If we can cover all federal and even state universities, we will be glad, but we are limited by funding.”

He announced that any university’s proposal for road intervention must be jointly signed by the vice-chancellor and the director of works, adding “You cannot shave a man’s head in his absence. The ministry will only consider documents endorsed by both of them.”

Earlier in his speech, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, expressed appreciation for the minister and his team visit, noting that it was first of its kind to see a minister coming personally on such a visit.

Prof. Adebowale said: “This university, founded in 1948, has grown from just three faculties to 23 faculties and two colleges, including a postgraduate college that is a flagship in Africa and the College of Medicine adjudged as the best in Sub-Saharan Africa in terms of research and clinical studies.”

The VC stressed that it was a privilege to have the minister who made a guarded tour of the university of about 1,500 hectares, adding that “ the  minister is looking at intervening in the construction and renovation of our roads. He didn’t just believe what he saw on paper, but wanted to come and see it physically. Today’s visit is historic and signifies hope for infrastructure development.”