In continuation of its efforts towards the repositioning
and revamping of the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu, the Governor
Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi administration on Thursday had a final deliberation on the
presentation earlier made by the Governing Council of the Institute and
approved the sum of N810 million for further upgrade of infrastructure in the
school.
Briefing newsmen, after a presentation at the meeting of
the State Executive Council (EXCO), the Chairman of the IMT Governing Council,
Mrs. Ifeoma Nwobodo, stated that the approval was given to address the “neglect
and dilapidation of infrastructure in the institution for the past 45 years”.
Mrs. Nwobodo, who was accompanied by other members of
the Council and top management officials, regretted that the infrastructure in
the institution had been neglected and abandoned for so many years, prior to
the inception of the present administration, adding that before now, apart from
TETFUND projects, “every other project has not seen a coat of paint for the
past 35 years”.
She noted that the Gov. Ugwuanyi administration had done
a lot in renovating and revamping the institution to standard, pointing out that
the administrative process that led to the recent approval commenced late last
year. She added that the projects when completed “will enhance the quality of
our students and turn around the face of the school to modern standard”.
The IMT Council Chairman disclosed that the school will
execute projects the like of which “has not been seen before”, expressing
delight at the governor’s passion for IMT, the welfare of the state and
students as well as his commitment to qualitative and affordable education in
the state.
Her words: “We have been given approval to commence, after
due process, the construction of ultramodern classrooms, fully furnished and
fitted with modern equipment like you can see in any of the international
platform.
“We have gotten approval to build modern public conveniences
for staff and students. We have also gotten approval to build a registry complex
for the records and exams division. We equally got approval to build a student
medical centre. All these things are what we have come to achieve”.
On the abandoned projects, Mrs. Nwobodo revealed that “the
problem IMT has had was that certain projects were awarded in the past to
incredible contractors that abandoned them”, maintaining that the new contracts
will be awarded to contractors that have verifiable proof of performance and
quality delivery of jobs in other places.
She also told newsmen that part of the presentation made
to the EXCO, was highlights of the development plans for various departments,
such as the school of fine and applied arts, engineering and accountancy departments
among others, stating that “the governor had approved funds last year for the rehabilitation
of the school’s television and radio studios.
“I want to state that we have a leader in the person of
His Excellency, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. I want to say that he is passionate
about IMT. I want to tell everybody that the governor is very much interested
in the welfare of the staff and students of the institution”, she said.
It
would be recalled that Gov. Ugwuanyi, on assumption
of office, took prompt and visionary steps aimed at revamping and repositioning
the institute (and other state-owned tertiary institutions) to make it a
degree-awarding institution.
A few months after his inauguration, the governor intervened by
offsetting a backlog of unpaid workers’ salaries, mostly inherited from the
previous administration.
Sequel to the completion of the process for the transition of IMT to
a degree-awarding institution, the State Executive Council, despite the severe
economic crunch in the country, approved the sum of N100 million for the school
to meet the accreditation needs of various courses, among other interventions.