By Ijeoma Nwankpa
Nigeria’ s Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, says academic activities will begin at the first ever University of Transportation in Daura, Katsina State, in September.
Mr Amaechi disclosed this during an inspection of the university project site to ascertain the progress of work done.
He expressed satisfaction with the level of work at the construction site, unlike the previous visit when the work was at a slow pace, urging the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry to ensure that academic activities commenced there in September.
” I’m impressed by what I have seen now unlike my last visit when I was unhappy with the slow pace of work, we are targeting September for the academic session to start so that Nigerians can have the opportunity to begin to do courses in Transportation.
” I have asked the contractors and they said there are seven more buildings to build, I have asked my Permanent Secretary to take on that , so the buildings can be completed on schedule.”
The Minister also inspected the ongoing railway project in Kano State where he pointed out that claims that some structures were being erected around to get compensation from the government, is an issue that has to be tackled by the state government.
“Until I speak with the governor, I can’t respond to that. Yes, it is the responsibility of the governor to give us unencumbered land, despite the fact that we have paid.”
“So, if there are problems we are encountering, we will speak with him. We are encountering problems; that is not in dispute. But I think that the best person to resolve those disputes will be the Governor of the state.”
On the commissioning of the Dala Inland Dry Port, which the Minister also visited, he said, he was impressed because the project is being concluded on schedule.
“If you say I am not impressed that will be a wrong word. They promised me that they will complete it by today. Have they completed the structures? Yes! But, I didn’t see the landscaping, so I said until you complete the landscaping, I will not be able to bring the President here.
“If they complete the landscaping then we can bring the President to come and commission. But have they finished all their structures, it appears they have finished their structures”.
The Minister also paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Daura, Umar Farouk to inform him about the progress of work at the Transport University as well as intimate him on his declaration to become the President of Nigeria, seeking his Royal Blessings.
The Emir appealed to the Minister to ensure the timely completion of the University of Transportation.
He promised the Minister that as a titleholder and Dan Amana of the Daura Emirate, all necessary support will be given to him on his presidential ambition.
It would be recalled that President Muhammmadu Buhari in December, 2019 performed the ground breaking of the first ever University of Transportation in Daura.