Some of the 176-room prototype hostels being built by the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, in 19 universities and polytechnics in the nine Niger Delta states would be ready for commissioning in few months.
NDDC Managing Director, Dr. Christian Oboh gave this assurance after inspecting the hostel projects at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) and University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT).
Dr. Oboh who was represented by his Media Adviser, Honour Sirawoo, said he was impressed with the milestones achieved and charged the contractors to keep up the pace.
He explained that 11 out of the 19 hostel projects were placed on fast-track to ensure that they were completed as soon as possible.
Dr. Oboh stated that the NDDC, as an interventionist agency, would continue to provide development infrastructure that would benefit the Niger Delta region.
“We see the hostel projects as a way of alleviating the accommodation problems of our students, thereby encouraging them to excel in their academic pursuits,” he said.
Project Manager of the RSUST NDDC-hostel, Engr. Ebi George disclosed that going by the work programme, he was confident that the hostel would be completed in January 2013.
“We are now mounting the door frames and fitting the glass windows. Generally, we are working on the internal fittings, which will be completed in a few weeks time.”
At the University of Port Harcourt, the supervising engineer, Mr. Victor Uromtah, said that roofing of the hostel would be completed in a couple of weeks assuring that the job would be delivered in February, 2013.
He said his company had no reason to fail since funds were being released on the achievement of every milestone.
Similar assurances were given at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) NDDC-hostel project where the site manager, Engr. Henry Onoha said the complex would be ready for commissioning before the end of the year.
