Abia State Governor, Alex Otti on Sunday, expressed shock and disappointment over the deplorable condition of facilities at the Abia State University, ABSU, Uturu, vowing to arrest the unpleasant situation.
Otti, who paid unscheduled visit to carry out on-the-spot assessment of facilities in the school, apologized to the students of the university over the poor conditions of the structures they found themselves.
He disclosed that a new 5,000-capacity hostel and functional cafeteria would be built for the students, even as he directed that the use of cooking stoves, kettles and kerosene should not be allowed in students’ rooms because of the dangers they posed.
His words: “I just came to see things for myself. And I thought I should take you and the University management by surprise.
“I’m happy to see you, but I’m very unhappy with the state of the facilities. The conditions under which you live cannot allow you to do any academic work.
“For those of you who do well under these conditions, we must congratulate you”.
The Governor stated that while the new hostel is being constructed, the University management should use a phased approach to make the current hostels habitable.
He ordered the Vice Chancellor, Professor Ndukwe Okudo, to build a functional cafeteria for the students.
Governor Otti further assured the management and the students that the essential amenities needed to make the academic community conducive for learning, such as power and potable water would all be provided.
The Governor thanked the students for their patience and apologized on behalf of the State government.
