TETfund boss expresses concern over non performing projects in varsities

By Maryam Abeeb

The Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Arch. Sunday Echono has expressed concern over rising non performing/distressed projects in University across the state.

The TETFund boss made this known at the Strategic Interactive Session for Heads of TETFund Beneficiary Institutions, held in Abuja said that incidence of distressed or non-performing projects is becoming rampant and disturbing.

Citing examples, he said that about 7 nonperforming/distressed projects in University of Port Harcourt, 6 in Enugu State University, a total of 5 in University of Nigeria Nsukka, 4 in Taraba State University in University of Calabar, 4 in Kaduna State University and 1 at Alvan koku College of Education.

Echono added that the fund is mindful of the intricate variables in project management and delivery as well as the constraints created by internal policies.

He assured that there will be a review of processes where required but will also demand from beneficiary institutions accountability and sanctions where needed.

His words,’’Another area of serious concern to the Fund, is the incidence of distressed or non-performing projects which is becoming rampant and disturbing. The Fund for example has about 7 nonperforming/distressed projects in University of Port Harcourt. 6 in Enugu State University, a total of 5 in Universityof Nigeria Nsukka, 4 in Taraba State University in University of Calabar, 4 in Kaduna State University and I at Alvan koku College of Education.

 ‘’This phenomenon becomes even more worrisome, when viewed alongside the problem of un-accessed funds. We are mindful of the intricate variables in project management and delivery as well as the constraints created by our own internal policies and are ensuring that we review our processes where required but will also demand from beneficiary institutions accountability and sanctions where needed. I will in the coming weeks be engaging beneficiary institutions who have these serious problems with the view of bringing the projects to speedy completion and use.

According to him, in line with the Funds paradigm shift to content based intervention and the resolution to deepen Research and Development, the fund has introduced the capacity building of academics on research proposal writing and research grant management skills which is expected to have trained a total of 1,761 academics by July 2022.

He added that  it is believed that those that have gained the training will now begin to train other academics locally and as such the programme will be stepped down in Year 2022 and 2023 before close-out.

Echono noted that the fund has also proposed to refocus the entrepreneurship intervention line for universities to meet best global practice of entrepreneurship development and training .