By Ameachi Prosper
The Rivers State Government has released N16.6 billion for the upgrade of the state-owned University of Science and Technology.
Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, who disclosed this to newsmen in Port Harcourt, said N9 billion of the sum will serve as take-off grant for the establishment of new campuses of the institution in Ahoada, Emohua and Etche local government areas.
He added that N3 billion will be devoted to each of the new campuses for the construction of faculty buildings, hostels, offices, libraries, auditoriums, lecture halls and other needs for the campuses to operate maximally.
“This is a landmark development in the history of the institution which has maintained one campus since its establishment in October 1980.
“With the establishment of the three campuses, the communities where they are sited will be opened up for development and economic activities. It will reduce the rate of unemployment in the state.”
According to Nsirim, N7. 6 billion has been released to enable the College of Medical Sciences of RSU establish the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Clinical Sciences and Pathology Building.
With the release, Nsirim said, the college will be enabled to fully commence its programme leading to the award of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS).
The gesture, he noted, will also strengthen accredited departments and those due for accreditation at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH).
Nsirim also announced that the State Government has established a scholarship scheme for Rivers indigenes studying at PAMO University of Medical Sciences.
This, he said, will provide Rivers children and other Nigerians access to medical education in the state.
“We are glad to share this good news with you at a time when governance has been grounded in most parts of the world because of Covid-19. This development will assist to reduce the gaps in the doctor to patient ratio in the state and country, Nsirim said.
