Hanson Ogar|28 October 2016
Cross River University of Technology, CRUTECH alumni association have lauded the state governor, Senator Ben Ayade for what they described as "very timely intervention" in the increase of the varsity monthly subvention from N169 million to N200 million.
The President of the association, Mr. Eyam Abeng who said this in reaction to the verbal approval made by the governor during his first official visit to the university on Thursday, however appealed to the Governor to speedily implement the increment.
Abeng said that, "We want to commend the governor for his timely intervention in the plight of CRUTECH. This increment of the varsity monthly subvention was long overdue and we as critical stakeholders were very worried over the financial position of the institution.
"We want to appeal to our dear governor who is by the law establishing CRUTECH the visitor of the university to grant a speedy implementation of the increment. We have seen how politicians deceived people with empty promises and lips services, but we have confidence in our governor that this will not be a political statement".
He added that "Visiting the university alone was a huge relief for us. It gives us confidence that our Professor is interested in developing the institution. CRUTECH is the only state owned university therefore should be given priority attention by government.
"With the increment in prices of goods and services, the N169 million subvention was no longer sustainable. School fee is the only revenue source of the institution and students are not paying. So a university that has a wage bill of over N200 million and spend about N3 million daily to run generator plants across the four campuses cannot function effectively if not properly funded".
While reiterating the association's position that the government should set up mechanism to compel companies operating in the state to sacrifice one per cent of their profit before tax to the development of tertiary institutions in the state, he added that the development of education cannot be left to government alone.
"During the last CRUTECH stakeholders forum, we stated our position that government should set up an Education Endowment Fund (EEF) where one per cent of profits before tax of all the firms operating in the state will be devoted to the development of state owned tertiary institutions. We want to reaffirm this our position because the development of education should be everybody's concern not just the government", he said.
The President called on the Commissioner of Police and other security agencies in the state to tighten security in the institution.
"The news I'm getting from the institution about renewed cult activities is leaving me very worried. CRUTECH have loss many students to cult clashes and I begin to wonder if the young people are learning at all. I want to appeal to the Police Commissioner and other security agencies in the state to intensify efforts to curb crime in the varsity".
Hanson Ogar
Writes from Calabar
