The Tertiary Education Trust Fund, TETFund, says it is entering into a partnership with the Rural Electrification Agency, REA, to boost power supply in universities, polytechnics and colleges of education.
Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arc. Sonny Echono, who disclosed this during a visit by the Managing Director of REA, Salihijo Ahmad, to TETFund on in Abuja, stressed the importance of steady power supply in tertiary institutions across the country to aid research and other academic activities.
“There is sheer acceptance that this is important for us as we move to improve not just the physical infrastructure but also ICT infrastructure and research infrastructure in our institutions.
“A lot of these require constant supply of power. There are certain samples you must put at certain temperature for a prolonged period. There are certain operations you do in medical laboratory that you cannot afford power to cease even for a second.
“And, if we really want to guarantee a learning environment that can compete with others across the globe, one of the primary things we can do is to guarantee power in our campuses,” Echono said.
The TETFund boss also called on REA to revamp the project in some of the beneficiary institutions that have encountered challenges with the EEP.
He noted that TETFund would explore the possibility of getting longer term financing from African Development Bank, AfDB, for subsequent editions of the scheme.
He said getting long term finance package for the project would be cost effective as only short term, one year cycle, funds are currently available to the agency.
Earlier, the Managing Director of REA, Salihijo, said the partnership is aimed at providing sustainable and clean power supply to 37 federal universities and seven university teaching hospitals across Nigeria.
Salihijo noted that the programme has already commenced in 24 universities and select teaching hospitals,
He called for the cooperation of TETFund to ensure the total success of the scheme.
“Infrastructure is not just about classrooms and lecture theatres, with the current situation in the country, it is becoming more apparent that we have a decentralised power systems. They are very important for our institutions like universities,” he said.
