The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has commissioned five landmark infrastructural projects, valued at over one billion naira, at the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu.

The projects, which include the International Conference Centre, Mass Communication Complex, General Studies, and Engineering Faculties among others, were part of the merged interventions by the Fund in the school during 2010, 2011, and 2012.

TETFund’s Board of Trustees member representing the South East, Mrs Esther Ukachukwu, who performed the ceremony at the weekend, reaffirmed the Fund’s commitment to improving facilities in public tertiary institutions across the country.

She said the successful completion of the projects demonstrated the institution’s accountability and resilience.

“For us at TETFund, it is a testament to the resilience and determination of the institution’s management to ensure that the envisioned objective of the project is achieved, notwithstanding the numerous challenges encountered,” she said.

According to her, IMT has so far accessed N6.22 billion out of the N7.24 billion allocated to it for infrastructure projects over the years.

She noted that price fluctuations in the economy made project delivery difficult, but lauded the school for providing a conducive atmosphere that ensured completion of the projects.

She also praised the management for providing a learning environment that facilitated the acquisition of requisite skills by students, while appreciating the Enugu State Government for its support of the institution.

She added that TETFund would continue to support beneficiary institutions in keeping pace with technological advancements, particularly in digital learning and artificial intelligence.

On his part, the TETFund Executive Secretary, Sonny S. T. Echono, praised IMT for demonstrating transparency and efficient project management.

“Despite the volatility of market forces, institutions such as IMT have remained resilient and focused, demonstrating prudence and transparency in ensuring successful project delivery,” he said.

He commended the TETFund Board for approving additional allocations to help institutions complete distressed projects, noting that the intervention was already producing positive results.

“Maintenance culture has become a necessity rather than an option,” he warned, urging IMT to ensure the facilities do not deteriorate.

Rector of IMT, Professor Gozie Ogbodo, assured that the school was committed to preserving the newly commissioned structures.

“For all the projects that have been commissioned, we maintained them. You can see a fresh look. We repainted them, we retouched them, we did what we needed to give it a fresh look.

“This administration has a good maintenance culture, and we will continue with that. If we don’t, we will allow them to deteriorate and they will no longer be useful to us,” he said.

He added that the improved environment would enhance learning and give students better access to modern facilities.