By Aideloje Ojo
Minna
Niger state government is to expend N.5 billion for the total rehabilitation of the state College of Agriculture, Mokwa, in Mokwa local government area of the state.
Governor Abubakar Sani Bello stated this when he visited the College as part of his Mid-Term Assessment and Meet the People Tour of local governments projects in Mokwa local government area.
He said the decision to overhaul the monotechnic was part of government’s efforts at repositioning the institution and to equip it for the discharge of its mandate of producing well-skilled manpower for the agriculture sector of the economy.
Bello decried the decay and many years of neglect of the institution by successive administrations in the state, but commended the ingenuity of the staff of the college and perseverance of the students.
The governor expressed concern over the poor condition of the halls of residence, lecture rooms and laboratories, stressing that there was the need for “a good, hygienic and conducive environment for teaching and learning.”
“We are committed to reducing the hardship lecturers and students are facing here. We will start work on the laboratories, ensure adequate and water supply, build new and well furnished hostels for both male and female students as well as the staff quarters,” he said.
“We intend to replicate the “Whole School” renovation approach in this College and do the same in state owned higher institutions,” the governor said
He however advised staff and students of the College to ensure proper maintenance of the existing structures in the school, stressing the need to imbibe maintenance culture for the preservation of the infrastructures in the college.
