ABUJA – (Federal Ministry of Power, Works & Housing Report) – The Nigerian Government has reiterated its commitment to the provision of critical infrastructural services across the nation, in-spite of inadequate resources and low budgetary provision.
This resolve was contained in a statement by the Minister of State II for Power, Works and Housing, Suleiman Hassan Zarma (Surv), when he received a delegation and Council Members of the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU), Bauchi, in his office at the Ministry’s Headquarters recently in Abuja.
Suleiman Zarma stated that the national budget is usually inadequate in all MDAs, noting that notwithstanding President Buhari in fulfilment of his campaign promises to Nigerians has been committed to the yearnings and aspirations of the people towards the nation’s development.
Earlier in his address, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Abdulrahman Ibrahim (Prof) on behalf of the delegation expressed their delight to the Minister for receiving the team at a short notice, despite his tight schedule. He commended the Ministry on its achievements and success story in the housing, power and road sectors since the inception of this administration.
He also thanked the Ministry for including ATBU among the nine pilot universities to benefit from the rural electrification project in Nigeria. Abdulrahman Ibrahim stated that their mission is to solicit the support of the Minister and indeed the ministry towards the provision of road network projects in the main campus and also the upgrading of its present 0.5 megawatt to 3.5 megawatt electricity to enhance proper and effective utilization. He lamented the status of the present budgetary provision of the university, saying it is grossly inadequate for these huge projects. He called for the support and intervention of the Ministry towards the realization of these projects.
The delegation was led by the Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Nimota Akanbi (Amb) as well as the Vice Chancellor, Abdulrahman Ibrahim (Prof) accompanied by other Council Members of the University.
The Minister in responding to the address, thanked the ATBU authority for the honour accorded him at the last convocation ceremony of the school, adding that the Ministry will not hesitate to render necessary support on the issues presented.
