NDDC Dontes Generators To Niger Delta Varsities

As part of efforts to boost electricity supply in universities in the Niger Delta region, the Niger Delta Development Commission has donated 375 KVA Perkins generators to each of the state owned universities in the nine Niger Delta states.

The universities are, Rivers State University of Science and Techniology, Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State, Abia State University, Delta State University Abraka, Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma, Cross River State University, Akwa Ibom State University of Science and Technology, and Ondo State University of Science And Technology.

Speaking while presenting the generating sets to Vice Chancellors of the benefitting universities, Managing Director of NDDC, Mr. Chibuzor Ugwoha, explained that the donation was a demonstration of the commission’s commitment to encourage teaching and learning in the institutions.

Ugwoha described power supply as paramount to the existence of every university, pointing out that electricity is not only needed by the students to read, but also to power some of the equipment that will make teaching and learning worthwhile.

“We believe, we should assist you in areas of need and we have identified power as one of such areas,” he said.

Ugwoha challenged the universities to take the issue of capacity development more seriously by ensuring that graduates of their institutions, especially Niger Deltans develop the right skills, to be able to conceptualize, design as well as maintain equipment.

He stated that there is no country in the world that developed because of mere presence of natural resources, but because its nationals had the capacity to harness them.

“For us this is a token gift but we believe that this would have very serious multipher effect on development in the Niger Delta Region,” he said.

Ugwoha remarked that the presence of the generators will also provide an opportunity for the students to understudy, their mechanism, and ultimately, know how to service and maintain them.

“We don’t want to hear that these generators were serviced by outsiders” he warned.

Responding on behalf of the recipients the vice chancellor of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Professor Barine Fakae and his Akwa Ibom state counterpart, Professor Sunday Peters thanked the NDDC for the gesture.

“We are greatly inspired by this, it is a right step in the right direction, because power is key to the success of the universities,” they said.

—Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt