By Ahmed Rahma
The Governor of Rivers State, Mr Nyesom Wike, has released funds to upgrade and build new campuses for the Rivers State University (RSU).
The Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr Paulinus Nsirim, who made this announcement in Port Harcourt while speaking with newsmen, said about N19.6 billion would be used to transform the institution.
According to him, since the establishment of RSU in 1980, it has maintained only one campus, which he said was not enough.
But he said with the establishment of the three new campuses, the host communities will experience consequential development and economic activities.
Mr Nsirim informed journalists that the Governor has approved N9 billion for the establishment of the new campuses in Ahoada, Emohua and Etche local government areas of the state.
He further said N3 billion would be devoted to each of the new campuses for the construction of faculty buildings, hostels, offices, libraries, auditoriums, lecture halls and other needs required for them to operate maximally, while N7.6 billion would be used by RSU College of Medical Sciences to establish the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Faculty of Clinical Sciences and Pathology Building.
The Commissioner noted that with these funds, the college will fully commence its programme, leading to the award of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS).
According to him, this will also strengthen the accredited department and the accreditation at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH).
Mr Nsirim also declared that the state government has established a scholarship scheme for Rivers indigenes studying at PAMO University of Medical Sciences, noting that this will provide Rivers people and other Nigerians access to medical education in the state.
“We are glad to share this good news with you at a time when governance has been grounded in most parts of the world because of COVID-19.
“This development will assist to reduce the gaps in the doctor-to-patient ratio in the state and country.
“The Rivers State government is determined to contribute to reducing this gap thus the massive investment in the training of doctors.
“We are confident that in the next few years, Rivers State will play a major role in producing medical manpower in the country,” he said.
Also addressing the newsmen, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Princewill Chike, said with the release of the funds, the College of Medical Sciences can operate as a full-fledged college with all its required programmes running.
