Rivers State Government has released the sum of N16.6billion for the
upgrade of facilities at the Rivers Sate University (RSU).
Announcing the release to journalists in Port Harcourt, Rivers State
Commissioner for Information and Communications, Paulinus Nsirim said N9
billion of that sum will serve as take-off grant for the establishment
of new campuses of Rivers State University (RSU) in Ahoada, Emohua and
Etche Local Government Areas.
According to him, N3 billion will be devoted to each of the new
campuses for the construction of faculty buildings, hostels, offices,
Libraries, auditoriums, lecture halls and address other needs required
for the campuses to operate maximally.
“This is a landmark development in the history of the institution which
has maintained one campus since its establishment in October 1980.
“With the establishment of the three campuses, the communities where
they are sited will be opened up for consequential development and
economic activities. It will reduce the rate of unemployment in the
state.”
The Information and Communications Commissioner also said N7. 6 billion
has been released to enable the College of Medical Sciences of RSU to
establish the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Clinical
Sciences and Pathology Building.
With the release, Nsirim said, the college will be enabled to fully
commence its programme leading to the award of Bachelor of Medicine, and
Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS).
According to him, the gesture will also strengthen accredited department
and those due Accreditation at the Rivers State University Teaching
Hospital (RSUTH).
Nsirim also announced that the State Government has established a
scholarship scheme for Rivers indigenes studying at PAMO University of
Medical Sciences.
This, he said, will provide Rivers children and other Nigerians access
to medical education in the state.
“We are glad to share this good news with you at a time when governance
has been grounded in most parts of the world because of covid-19.
“This development will assist to reduce the gaps in the doctor to
patient ration in the state and country.
“The Rivers State government under the visionary leadership of Governor
Wike, as a responsive governor, is determined to contribute to reduce
this gap thus the massive investment in the training of doctors.
“We are confident that in the next few years, Rivers State will play a
major role producing medical manpower in the country. ”
Also addressing the journalists, Rivers State Commissioners for Health,
Prof. Princewill Chike said with the release of the fund, the College
of Medical Sciences can operate as a full-fledged college with all its
required programmes running.
According to him, accreditation of departments and programmes will be
easy to secure because of the enhanced capacity of the college that
already has requisite personnel engaged.
On his part, the Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Kaniye
Ebeku said skeptics who thought that Governor Wike was making mere
political statement when he promised to establish three new campuses for
the Rivers State University will see that he is walking the talk.
According to him, with the money released and contractors soon to
commence construction of Classrooms, hostels, auditoriums and offices
at the three Local Government Areas, there is an assured expansion of
RSU to benefit the entire state.
Prof. Ebeku said this will increase access to education because
admission spaces will be opened for more intakes, and those communities
hosting the new campuses will enjoy increase commercial activities and
attendant development.