Radda okays N340m for varsity electricity restoration

Gov. Dikko Radda of Katsina State has approved over N340 million to restore electricity supply to the state-owned Umaru Musa Yar’adua University, Katsina (UMYUK).

This is contained in a statement issued in Katsina on Saturday by the Director of Press, Office of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Abdullahi Aliyu-Yar’adua.

Aliyu-Yar’adua said the governor approved the immediate release of the funds for two separate electricity projects at the university.

“Firstly, the replacement of a 33KVA indoor control panel and other accessories that supply power to the school at the cost of over N260 million, and also the installation of solar security lights awarded at the cost of over N98 million,” he said.

According to Aliyu-Yar’adua, the state government’s decision aims to address incidents of vandalism and insecurity at the university.

He explained that the SSG, Alhaji Abdullahi Faskari, who made the announcement, also disclosed that the approval was a swift response by the governor to restore a conducive atmosphere for learning and other activities at the institution.

Aliyu-Yar’adua quoted the SSG as saying: “Gov. Radda is concerned about the recent report of power outage which affected the university, hence, the directive to fix it with immediate effect.

“Radda appreciated the various efforts of the management and the understanding exhibited by the staff and students of the university while trying to restore the power supply and assured his administration’s commitment towards uplifting the standards of education at all levels in the state.”

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the management of the institution had extended its mid-semester break following issues associated with electricity supply to the university.

“The university’s senate, at its special meeting, reviewed the progress made on the repairs of electricity supply to the university, which apparently shows that the earlier date given for resumption, Monday, Sept. 16, is not tenable.

“In view of the above reality, and as the state government is working to address the fault, the university senate finds it expedient to suspend the resumption until the electricity supply is fully restored,” a statement by Muhammad Yusufu-Abubakar, Registrar and Secretary to the university’s senate, said. (NAN)