GUSAU – Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has called on the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to increase its support for the completion of numerous unfinished projects at several tertiary institutions within the state. During his visit to the TETFund headquarters, Governor Lawal highlighted the critical needs of Zamfara State University and Abdu Gusau Polytechnic.
The Governor pointed out that many projects at Zamfara State University, located in Talata Mafara Town, were initiated but left abandoned by previous administrations. He expressed a pressing need for TETFund’s intervention to see these projects through to completion.
“The last time I visited TETFund, I mentioned that we are like Oliver Twist, always asking for more. Today, I am here to request additional support for certain Zamfara tertiary institutions,” Governor Lawal said. “I visited Talata Mafara Local Government Area two weeks ago and saw the projects carried out by TETFund at the Zamfara State University. Unfortunately, there are numerous abandoned projects from the previous governments in the state.”
Governor Lawal also noted the accreditation challenges faced by Abdu Gusau Polytechnic and appealed for TETFund’s assistance in resolving these issues. He detailed the broader challenges the state is grappling with, including ongoing insecurity, unpaid employee salaries, and students unable to take their WAEC and NECO exams.
“When we assumed office last year, employees had not been paid for three months, and our students could not take their WAEC and NECO exams. We also have a number of students on scholarships in Cyprus, India, and Sudan who have been left unattended to, among other urgent matters,” he lamented.
The Governor emphasized that his administration has worked diligently to address these issues, including settling the backlog of salaries and paying the outstanding balance for WAEC and NECO exams. “We are here to seek your interventions, which will go a long way in rescuing the education sector,” he said.
In response, the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Sonny T. Echono, praised Governor Lawal for his achievements in his first year in office. Echono acknowledged the Governor’s efforts in improving the state’s institutions, hospitals, and other areas.
“I want to congratulate you on your one year in office, and I want to appreciate and commend you for the work you are doing in government offices, institutions, hospitals, and other areas. We will review the request from His Excellency and do everything possible. Your diligence in addressing state issues is commendable and shows a high level of seriousness. I want to personally thank you for settling the WAEC and NECO debt,” Echono noted.
The meeting concluded with assurances from TETFund to review and consider the requests, aiming to support the education sector in Zamfara State and ensure the successful completion of the pending projects.