The administration of President Muhammadu Buhari has again lived up to its campaign promise of bridging the infrastructural gaps in the country by providing accessible roads network in tertiary institutions across the six geopolitical zones.
That was evident as a fully rehabilitated and constructed 1.1 kilometre road at the Federal Polytecnic Ukana-Uyo in Awka Ibom State executed by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing was commissioned and handed over to the institution on Tuesday, March 29,2022 by the Honourable Minister of Works and Housing,Mr.Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN.
Represented at the ceremony by the Federal Controller Works in Akwa Ibom State, Engr.Gabriel Akinwande said,” The gap of our infrastructure needs is steadily being bridged by a gradual process of repairs, renewal and construction on major highways and it has reached the schools.”
Fashola described the construction of internal roads at various campuses as a deliberate step by government to positively impact on the quality of education as well as create a conducive learning environment for renewed enthusiasm with regards to attending classes by students.
”We have successfully intervened in the internal road networks of 46 tertiary institutions and have handed over 29 as at 2021.We now have another 17 ready to be handed over with about 30 more roads in similar institutions across the country receiving attention of the Buhari-led administration,” he added.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Rector of the Federal Polytecnic Ukana, Akwa Ibom State, Dr. Udak Ukekpe appreciated President Muhammadu Buhari for his interest in enhancing education in the country through the provision of logistics like the construction of internal road network in tertiary institutions.
He added that the road rehabilitation was timely and will add great value to the students and other road users in the campus, noting that the action of the Federal Government will also go a long way in addressing the infrastructural deficit in the institution.
Dr. Ukekpe pleaded with the Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN to further assist the institution in the remaining 3.1km road left to be covered.
In an Interview, the Vice President of the Students Union Government (SUG) Ms. Blessing Mbonisa said the construction of the road had made the school opened to everyone and that it has boosted the morale of the students academics.
A lecturer, the coordinator of Mechanical Engineering Department, Engineer Emabong Etieakpan, while appreciating the Minister, pointed out that the road has been helpful to both staff and students most especially the motorists and those walking in and out of the school.
“There was no road in this place before. It was a busy area that nobody can access, but now, with the road construction, students can now easily go to their lecture rooms without flood which was not like that before.”
The event was well attended by students, staff and board of directors of the school as well as the traditional leader of Ukana West in person of His Royal Highness Okuku Sylvanus Obot Ekanem.
