By Brenda Chidinma Imo-Eze
The Vice Chancellor of Ebonyi State University (EBSU), Professor Chigozie Ogbu, on Thursday decried the abandonment of the Advanced Reference Research Laboratory, which remains incomplete due to insufficient funding.
Professor Ogbu made this known at the university’s campus during the inauguration of over N1.3 billion worth of TetFund-sponsored projects in the institution.
While expressing gratitude for TetFund’s support, Professor Ogbu noted that, despite procuring sophisticated equipment for the Advanced Reference Research Laboratory, the project had stalled at the roofing stage.
He urged TetFund to prioritize its completion, stressing the importance of the laboratory for advancing the university’s research initiatives.
Adding “I wish to call the attention of Arc. Babatunde Olajide and other officers from Tet-fund to the immediate need of Ebonyi state University, namely the uncompleted Advanced Reference Research Laboratory and the Landscaping of the faculty management building. I’m requesting Tet-fund to grand special allocation to complete the laboratory and provide zonal allocation to landscape the faculty management block,” he appealed.
The TetFund’s Executive Secretary, Arc Sonny Echono, represented by Babatunde Olajide, revealed that the three commissioned projects were part of TetFund’s annual interventions for 2016-2019, 2020, and 2021-2022, totaling N1,339,791,726.06. Since TetFund’s involvement with the university began in 1999, a total of N12,313,420,341.34 has been allocated for various infrastructural projects, with 85.1% of this funding already deployed.
The Chairman of the House Committee on TetFund, Princess Miriam Onuoha praised President Bola Tinubu for making funds available, ensuring the successful completion of these projects.
The Governor of Ebonyi state Francis Nwifuru, represented by his Deputy Princess Patricia Obila, also commended TetFund’s interventions, highlighting the role they play in advancing the state’s educational institutions.