Reps panel raises alarm over poor access roads at Imo varsities

The House of Representatives Committee on University Education has expressed concern over the deplorable state of the access road linking the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), to other parts of the city, as well as the limited internal road network at Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri (AIFUEO), both in Imo State. Chairman […]

The House of Representatives Committee on University Education has expressed concern over the deplorable state of the access road linking the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), to other parts of the city, as well as the limited internal road network at Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri (AIFUEO), both in Imo State.

Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Abubakar Hassan Fulata, stated this in a communiqué following the committee’s oversight visit to the institutions at the weekend.

Fulata described the condition of the Obinze–FUTO Road as “terribly poor,” noting that vehicles, tricycles, and even pedestrians find it difficult to use the route, especially during the rainy season.

He appealed to the Federal Ministry of Works, the Federal Ministry of Education, and the Imo State Government to take urgent steps to rehabilitate the road and improve access to the university.

The lawmaker also expressed concern about the absence of perimeter fencing around FUTO, warning that the situation poses serious security risks and has led to encroachment on the university’s land.

During the visit, the Vice Chancellor of Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Prof. Stella Ngozi Lemchi, appealed to the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to extend its 2025 admission deadline from November 17 to the end of the month.

According to her, the newly upgraded institution has just received approval from the National Universities Commission (NUC) to run additional programmes but might not meet JAMB’s existing admission deadline.

“The main challenge we have now is the policy of JAMB that has restricted the admission period.

“For us, as a newly upgraded university with newly approved programmes, we will be grateful if JAMB can extend the admission period to at least the end of November instead of the November 17 deadline,” she said.

She also urged the Federal Government to reconsider the policy of outsourcing campus security personnel, saying it places a heavy financial burden on institutions that rely on limited internally generated revenue (IGR).

“We appeal that the government should mainstream the payment of these security operatives to ease the burden on universities and also improve their remuneration for better efficiency,” she added.

Prof. Lemchi further highlighted the poor condition of internal roads on campus, particularly at the Nworie campus where new structures are being built, and called for urgent government intervention.

Similarly, the Executive Director of the National Institute for Nigerian Languages (NINLAN), Prof. Ogbonna Onuoha, appealed for approval to allow the institute to run degree programmes in line with its establishment Act.

Prof. Onuoha lamented that since the institute’s establishment in 1993, it has yet to receive a take-off grant from the Federal Government, a situation that has hindered its effective operations and expansion.

He called on the National Assembly to intervene to ensure the institute fulfils its mandate of promoting and preserving Nigerian languages through teaching and research.