By Yemi Olakitan
On January 18, 2023, the University of Benin administration received the 100-meter internal road and gully erosion intervention project from the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing.
The Minister, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), stated during his speech at the ceremony in Benin that the country’s infrastructure deficit was being steadily closed and had now reached the schools.
Fashola, who was represented by the Federal Controller of Works in Edo, Mr. Razaq Aransiola, claimed that the better learning environment created by the institutions’ upgraded infrastructure would have an effect on education quality. “A slow process of repairs, renovation, and building on key roadways is steadily bridging the gap of our infrastructure demands, and it has reached the schools. As of March 2022, Fashola claimed that his administration had handed over 46 of the 64 internal road projects it had successfully interfered in at various federal higher institutions.
He said that 83 roads had been built, with 18 more ready to be handed over and 19 more receiving attention at different institutions across the nation.
He said that the construction process directly supported the Federal Government’s objective to create jobs by employing no less than 50 individuals.
Prof. Lilian Salami, the university’s vice chancellor, had earlier complimented the State and Federal Governments for their admirable intervention projects in the school.
Salami claimed that throughout time, important portions of the university’s development had suffered due to gully erosion.
“The good news is that after we appealed to the authorities, we got the attention we wanted.
“We are enjoying the outcome of an administration that pays attention and takes action today.
“The intervention has provided a great deal of respite from the threat, which prevented the university’s site B infrastructure from being finished and used.
“The minister and our alumnus of the university deserve praise for their dedication to the execution of projects within the university.
“We are appreciative of our beloved Governor Godwin Obaseki, who views the university as his personal endeavour.
Salami stated, “He has put politics aside to make sure that only the best efforts are done here for the advancement of UNIBEN.
She claims that now since we are completely determined to have a greater impact on projects, we won’t be concerned about overdeveloping site A, which is the major campus.
Salami, however, revealed that land speculators had encroached on about 70% of the university site B land.
“We need the government to step in and help us so we can move to site B.
She continued, “Our site A is practically oversubscribed, and the invasion is worrisome.”