To cushion the effect of the N25,000 levies on the parents of students of Abia State University, Uturu, the Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has reduced the fees to N15,000.
This was made known by a press release made available by the Chief Press Secretary, Barr. Onyebuchi Ememanka on Wednesday to newsmen.
In the statement, Ikpeazu disclosed that his ‘government is committed to improving infrastructure, academic content, entrepreneurship studies and research at Abia State University.’
Speaking with Barr. Ememanka, he stated that the N25,000 levy was for a COVID-19 test by the school management which was one of the prerequisites of reopening schools as set by the National Centre for Disease Control.
He made it clear that Governor Ikpeazu stated that his government will bear the cost and pay N10,000 while the student pays N15,000 of the N25,000 levy.
The statement reads below;
Governor Okezie Ikpeazu said his government is committed to improving infrastructure, academic content, entrepreneurship studies and research in Abia State University.
Governor Ikpeazu stated this while interacting with some Students Representatives from the Abia State University. He disclosed that his administration is prepared to set up businesses for young people in the State and revealed that soon the government would create Internet Parks in Aba, Umuahia and Ohafia. He also revealed that in the next few weeks, the government would be setting up Local Government Road Maintainance Committees made up of youths to deal with potholes on roads in the State.
According to the Governor, another set of 50 young entrepreneurs would be assembled to speak on their business ideas which would enable them access seed money from the State government, ranging from N250, 000 to N750, 000 to establish their businesses.
The Governor promised to reduce to Ten Thousand Naira per student, the Twenty Five Thousand Naira Special Levy given to them by the University Management. He said the intervention is to cushion the effect of the fees on parents.
The Governor, who also promised to enhance the welfare of the students assured them that within 60 days, he would liaise with the assessment team of the vice-Chancellor of the school to provide regular water, conveniences and solar light to the institution. He promised to do everything to ensure the resumption of academic activities in ABSU, charging the school authorities to observe all the covid-19 protocols on resumption.
The Governor. who commended the students for the ambience and peace they have allowed to reign in the school saluted their doggedness to study and make best of their environment and tasked them on integrity and hard work, saying that studentship has its challenges which they must brace up for.
In a vote of thanks, the vice-Chancellor of ABSU, Prof. Uche Ikonne thanked the Governor for building confidence in the students. He said the Governor has solved their challenges by his interventions and promised that the management would not relent in supporting him.
In their contributions, the SUG President, Comrade John Nwakanma thanked the Governor for inviting them to the meeting. They highlighted some of their challenges and appealed to him to incorporate the students in his welfare plans while assuring him that they would protect the interest of the State, school and students and give him sustained support.
