Abuja Varsity of Tech takes-off next year – FCTA

By Stanley Onyekwere

At last, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) looks set to ensuring that the Abuja University of Technology, Abaji (AUTA) takes off by next academic session (2018), more than five years after completion of some facilities there.
Accordingly, the Administration reiterated that all necessary modalities are being put in place to ensure that we meet the proposed date for the eventual commencement of academic activities.
Making this disclosure yesterday, Secretary for Education in the FCTA, Senator Isa Maina, said the FCT Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello had issued a marching order to him, to fast track the completion of the project.
Maina, who spoke at the 2017 FCT Education Secretariat Annual Media luncheon, however expressed his displeasure as “how such an important project has been allowed to go unrealised for so long.”
His words: “ One of the first things I did on assumption of office was to pay a visit to the site of the proposed University in Abaji, and I must confess that I was not happy with what I met on ground.
“I saw completed classroom blocks, hostels,laboratories and office furnished complexes falling into disrepair, because they have not be put on use more than five years after completion.
“While I was astonished at this lack of commitment to such a worthwhile venture, it has simply enhanced our motivation, and even made the current administration more determined to see to the completion and eventual rake-off of the university.”
Furthermore, the Secretary revealed that in the 2018 budget there’s provision of funds for the installation of critical ICT infrastructure there.
“It will hurt me if by the time I leave office as the Education Secretary, that AUTA failed to take off.
“We are working towards getting part of the take off fund for the proposed university from TETFUND,” he stressed.