Commissions projects in ATBU, ATAB
From Paul Orude, Bauchi
President Bola Tinubu has pledged the commitment of his administration to support the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
The President promised to provide the enabling environment to enable the Fund improve on its performance.
Tinubu gave the assurance in Bauchi at the commissioning of projects sponsored by TETFund at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, and the Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic, Bauchi respectively.
He reiterated that education formed an integral part of his administration’s Renewed Hope agenda.
The President, who was represented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, approved the implementation of the upward review of Education Tax (EDT) to 3 percent with effect from September 2023.
He explained that the upward review was in recognition of the role of TETFund play in the development of public tertiary educational institutions in Nigeria.
He said the upward review was to further support and strengthen the intervention activities of the Fund.
“This will in no small measure contribute more to the improved funding of the education sector and development of our public tertiary institutions,” he said.
He commended the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny S.T. Echono and his team for their efforts in effectively discharging the mandate of the Fund for the continuous development of public tertiary education in Nigeria.
“It is on record that over the years, TETFund through the support of the Federal Government has performed exceptionally in the provision of physical infrastructure, support for academic staff training and development, book publication, ICT, Research and Development amongst others in public tertiary educational institutions across the country,” he said.
“I wish to assure you that the administration remains totally committed towards providing greater support and the enabling environment to enable the Fund improve on its performance”
At ATBU, four TETFund-sponsored projects – Departmental Building (B) 2017/2020 (merged) Annual intervention;Departmental Building (C) Under 2017/2020 (merged) Annual intervention; Classrooms and Laboratories 2017/2020 (merged) Annual intervention; and Academic Building for School of Management Technology 2021/2022 (merged) Annual intervention – valued at N472, 112,546.83, were commissioned by the President.
In the same vein, A 500-Seater Capacity Examination Hall; A 300-Seater Examination Hall; and Students’ Hostel Block projects (Years 2017-2020 (Merged) Annual Intervention) valued at N401, 554,348.19 were commissioned by the President.
In his remark, the Executive Director of TETFund, Arc. Sonny Echono, said the commissioning of the projects in the two tertiary institutions in Bauchi State by the President was evidence of the Fund’s efficient management.
Echono assured that TETFund would continue to exhibit prudence an in the management of projects funded public funds allocated by the Federal Government for the provision of requisite infrastructure to aid the teaching, learning and research in line with the fund’s mandate.