The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola,SAN said that the quality of infrastructural development within a country could impact quality education and the learning environment.
He made the remark at the handing over ceremony of a completed internal road intervention project by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing at the University of Calabar, Cross River state.
Fashola who was represented by the Federal Controller of Works Cross River State, Engr. Bassey Nsentip observed that the road completed had enhanced students mobility and reduced stress in the learning environment.
He further stated that although the road intervention project was a civil works project, the Federal Government intends to invest in education by improving the ambience and environment of tertiary institutions to enhance academic activities.
The Minister also disclosed that the Federal Government is presently working on the rehabilitation of 43 internal roads in federal tertiary institutions across the six geopolitical zones of the country out of which 18 had been completed and being handed over.
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He said the 1.17km road handed over to the University of Calabar was among such roads, urging the school authority and students to ensure the asset was used and maintained properly.
Speaking earlier the Vice Chancellor University of Calabar,Prof. Zana Akpagu who was delighted at the laudable initiative, disclosed that prior to its rehabilitation, the road was in a deplorable state. He added that before the rehabilitation the road was inaccessible for students to go through especially during the rainy season.
Prof. Akpagu said the road now enables easy access to the hostels, classrooms, medical department and the chapel.
He thanked the President and the Minister of Works and Housing for the road while believing that the government would do more roads and infrastructural interventions in future to help the university.
Also in a chat with the media, the Director of Finance and Supplies Cross River State Ministry of Works, Mr. Ebere Ignatius thanked the Federal Government for the support and pledged more collaborations with the federal government.