University, College in financial need after Bauchi rainstorm
The managements of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) Bauchi and Adamu Abubakar Tafawa Balewa College of Education Kangere have appealed to the federal and Bauchi State government to help them rebuild structures destroyed by the recent rainstorm in the state. ATBU Vice Chancellor, Professor Saminu Ibrahim made the appeal at a news conference in Bauchi. […]
The managements of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU) Bauchi and Adamu Abubakar Tafawa Balewa College of Education Kangere have appealed to the federal and Bauchi State government to help them rebuild structures destroyed by the recent rainstorm in the state.
ATBU Vice Chancellor, Professor Saminu Ibrahim made the appeal at a news conference in Bauchi.
Represented by Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic, Professor Abdullahi Umar said the Federal government has invested so much on the structures damaged by the rainstorm and therefore appealed to the FG to rebuild and renovates structures.
"Therefore, we are appealing to the Federal Government to come and take stock of the damages and come up with relief measures.
"Specifically the central library of the university which was damage, we all know the importance of library in the university, it stores all the information and research work conducted.
"We cannot do it from our lean resources, that is why we are seeking government intervention," he said.
Professor Ibrahim disclosed that the wind storm affected buildings and structures at the Yelwa and Gubi campuses of the university.
The Vice Chancellor said that 26 structures on the campuses were severely damaged by the storm which resulted in disrupting the ongoing second semester examinations.
"The windstorm also affected the power source, students hostels, water sources, medical laboratory, staff rooms and quarters," he said
He said that the rainstorm has also uprooted trees, electric, other poles and telecommunication masts.
According to him, some of poles and trees fell on buildings and roofs on high rise buildings were either completely removed or seriously damaged.
He said that the university’s central library and the college of medical Sciences were the most affected.
The Vice Chancellor disclosed that the management of the institution is taking the inventory of the damages adding that they have restored power to enable the students continue with their studies.
"The management are calling on all relevant agencies such National University Commission (NUC) and TEDFUND to look in the the situation of the institution and intervene.
"We are also calling on the National Emergency Management Agency and the Bauchi state government to visit the university and considered the Institution as part and parcel of the state to provide relief materials and succour," Ibrahim said
Similarly, the Adamu Abubakar Tafawa Balewa College of Education Kangere has also called on Bauchi state government to help the institution repair structures damaged in the school.
The college in a statement by its Public Relations Officer, Bala Baban Kawu quoted the College’s Acting Registrar, Hajiya Hadiza Usman Isah saying that almost every block in the college had been affected.
She however disclosed that places that were badly affected were the Administrative Block, Academic Division, Male and Female Hostels and the M.A Abubakar lecture Theatre.
Others include the residences of former Registrar, Kabir Garba Aminu, the College Bursar, Mr Zumunchi Gambo Yelmis and other staff.