Snakes, weeds take over Abuja Tech University

Snakes and other reptiles are threatening to take over the Abuja University of Technology, Abaji (AUTA), a visit to the expansive site of the institution, which is about 90 percent completed, has shown. Weeds have grown all over the new university buildings, making it a habitat for reptiles, especially snakes, lizards and rodents among others. […]

Snakes and other reptiles are threatening to take over the Abuja University of Technology, Abaji (AUTA), a visit to the expansive site of the institution, which is about 90 percent completed, has shown.
Weeds have grown all over the new university buildings, making it a habitat for reptiles, especially snakes, lizards and rodents among others.
Cobwebs spiral the ceilings and the windows of the beautifully built university structures, while the coat of paint is already peeling off in some parts of the buildings.
 Former minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed, conceived the idea of establishing the university after several pleas from the Ona of Abaji/Chairman of the FCT Council of Chiefs, Alhaji Adamu Yunusa.
The traditional ruler had at different fora, immediately after former President Goodluck Jonathan assumed in office in 2011, requested for the setting up a university in Abaji.
Though the dream of having the university built has been realized, it is however not clear when the specialised institution will take off.
Aso Chronicle gathered that two years after the date set for the newly established university to commence academic activities, it is yet to do so though most of the infrastructures have been put in place.
Since its initial take off date of December 8th 2011 for the 2011/2012 academic session, the university has gone through several other failed take off dates.
The school is established to, among other measures, increase the number of FCT students admitted into tertiary institutions.
“Only about 5% of FCT students get admission into higher institutions.
The university was proposed to correct this anomaly,” spokesperson of the FCT Education Secretariat, Anthony Ogunleye, said.
Some of the objectives of the university include providing access to quality scientific and technological education; appropriate teaching, learning and research opportunities for advancement and dissemination of knowledge; solving the technological challenges of the FCT and the nation through an innovative and multi-disciplinary approach to training, research and collaboration.
Aso Chronicle recalls, however that the former FCT Education Secretary, Malam Kabir Usman, had at one of his press briefings in Abuja, claimed that all the necessary draft and paperwork had been concluded, and structures including classrooms, laboratories, staff quarters, borehole and the installation of generators  were also completed.
AUTA is expected to enrol about 1,965 students before the end of the 2015/2016 academic session.
The former secretary, Steering Implementation Committee of the university, Mrs. Rosemary Umana, had made a submission when the former FCT Permanent Secretary, Engr. John Obinna Chukwu, paid a working visit to the campus located along Agyana road in Abaji. She said the 11 blocks of 22 classrooms have been completed and were very adequate for the projected initial 250 intakes in the schools of engineering, environmental sciences and science education after its take-off in 2013/2014.
 Mrs. Umana said about 137 staff are expected for the 2013/2014 academic year consisting of 60 academic staff, 38 technical staff, 21 and 18 senior and junior administrative staff respectively while 482 additional staff are projected for 2014/15 and 2015/16 academic
sessions.
She said in the 2013/14 session, the School of Science and Science Education was expected to take off with departments of Biology,
Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics and Science Education; in 2014/15 the departments of Architecture, Building and Quantity Surveying while the departments of Civil, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering will take off in 2015/16.
Mrs. Umana, who was also the former director, FCT Agency for Science and Technology, said that vital actions needed to be taken before the school’s successful take off in 2013/14. The steps include appointment of the vice chancellor and other principal officers; foundation stone laying ceremony and deploying of initial administrative staff.
She also added that the National Universities Commission (NUC)  ought to formally recognize AUTA; the sourcing of pioneer students
from JAMB and completion of all the necessary infrastructures all taken care off.
The former FCT minister, Senator Bala Muhammed, had also disclosed in 2013 that arrangements have been concluded for the smooth take off of the specialised university to give opportunity to the residents and those from its catchment area to acquire technical education to provide the needed manpower across the country.
The former minister had noted that the fact that no federal or state university in the country has FCT as its catchment area, informed the decision of the FCT Administration to establish AUTA.
An acting chairman of the Steering/Implementation Committee on AUTA, Professor Buba Bajoga, also noted that the three strategic documents submitted were very vital steps toward the materialization of the desires as well as aspirations of the FCT residents to own a university.
He noted that with its motto, ‘Technology for Development,’ the university’s vision is to be an excellent university that would promote and advance scientific and technological knowledge.
But Aso Chronicle’s visit to the university site cast doubts on the assertions by the former minister, permanent secretary and members of the steering committee as their plans may end up just lofty illusions, if necessary measures are not taken. Some buildings such as the lecture halls, administrative office, hostels, library, laboratory, staff quarters, electricity and water facilities have been completed but abandoned without sign of academic activities.
Some stakeholders have expressed concern over non-commencement of academic activities after 85 percent necessary facilities have been put in place in the university.
“It is quite worrisome that after billions of naira have been expended and all the required facilities have been put in place, the university
is abandoned with grasses taking over the projects,” Musa Abdullahi, a civil servant said.
Reacting, the chairman of the area council, Alhaji Yahaya Garba Gawu, said when he assumed office in 2013, he approached the Federal Ministry of Education and FCT Education Secretariat on the issue of university.
“I made all effort when I assumed office in 2013, on the need to see that academic activities at the university take-off but to no avail.
“But we are hoping that with the coming of the new administration, academic activities will take-off,” he said.
He expressed concern over the abandonment of the university after its completion, saying when it finally takes off, it will address the
quota system that affects indigenes of the FCT, adding that it would also create job opportunities for both academic and non-academic staff. Anthony Ogunleye, spokesman of the FCT Education Secretariat, said a university is never completed.
“Even first generation universities in Nigeria are still adding infrastructures to improve on what is already on ground. We foresee AUTA as growing continuously,” he stated.
He explained that the university is built in phases and that “it is currently in the first phase. The facilities on ground can cater for the initial proposed number of students of about 250.”
Ogunleye said the buildings on ground include student hostels for male and female students, a library, a cafeteria, transit camps for lecturers, administrative and faculty buildings and municipal facilities such as water and electricity.