The Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki has expressed satisfaction with quality and pace of work going on at the College of Agriculture, Iguoriakhi Ovia North East Local Government Area of the state.
The work which involved the construction of 250-capacity lecture theatre, an administrative block, college library, academic block 1 and 2, college auditorium complex, health center and the college main gate, among others is being handled by Peculiar Ultimate Concern Nigeria Limited, an indigenous construction company.
The Governor who led other members of the state executive council to inspect the work said, “We are here today and we have seen the massive progress of work despite the heavy rains that have slowed down the pace of work in the last five months. Contractors needed to slow down and readjust their schedule and today, the progress of work is visible for us all to see.”
Governor Obaseki hinted that the government was repositioning the school to become a world-class institution to train youths to pursue careers in the agriculture, with a view to generating massive private sector driven employment and wealth creation.
He further noted that, “If agriculture is important to us as a nation, then we must have institutions that prepare and train very capable and competent personnel, particularly middle level manpower for the agriculture industry.”
“This is going to be a classic collaboration between the government and the private sector. The Governing Council of this school is 60 per cent made up of those already in the agric business as they will help define the curriculum that will be taught. “
“The school will not be another certificate awarding institution, rather a job creating institution. This is the unique difference, which is why I have taken over two hours inspecting facilities in the institution.”
Responding, Managing Director of Peculiar Ultimate Concern, Engineer Lanre Adeleke thanked the Edo State Governor for believing in the capacity of a home grown firm to do the job, saying the quality of materials and expertise deployed in the construction would compete with anyone around the world.
Engineer Adeleke told the Governor and his team that In every lecture block, there were two sets of laboratories to accommodate large number of students during practicals.
The Managing Director explained that the company had decided to keep vigil with the work and deny itself holiday in order to meet up with proposed opening of the College.
While giving assurance about the quality and duration of the facilities, he appealed to the staff and students to take ownership and use them with care and caution.
