By Precious Oluwole

Ondo State House of Assembly has promised to work towards the development of State owned Tertiary Institutions to achieve its mandates.

The State House of Assembly Committee on tertiary institution stated this during a visit to the Olusegun Agagu University of Science and Technology (OAUSTECH), in Okitipupa.

The Committee charged the Management and Staff to continue to work for optimal performance and improved academic excellence.

The Chairman of the Committee, representing Okitipupa constituency 1, Chris Ayebusiwa noted that the oversight function to the institution became imperative to ensure both parties work hand in glove for the enhancement of the institution.

He commended the warm, productive and progressive relationship that the committee has with the school since it came on board and the Management team for leading OAUSTECH to greater heights.

The Committee requested for critical information regarding the operations and performances of the University which include, the university’s budget performance and the progresses so far made,the number of newly completed and ongoing projects in the university and the levels of completion of each,amount approved for each project and the percentage of funds released to each.

Other things requested for are the number of projects abandoned in the university and reasons for abandonment,university’s plans or suggestions for the renewal of the deserted projects on the campus,the staff strength of both academic and administrative staff, population of students and welfare of both staff and students.

The Committee applauded Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for doing so great in continuation of the legacy of his predecessor and for showing worthy leadership .

Earlier,the Vice Chancellor of OAUSTECH, Professor Temi Ologunorisa who thanked the team for the visit noted that it will go a long way to strengthen the institution.

Prof Ologunorisa informed that all the University programmes are fully accredited adding that the school has expanded in terms of programs, projects and population.

While explaining that the vision of the University is to key into the new economy of the world which is the blue economy, the don sought the support of the committee to overcome it challenges particularly in the area of funding and completing capital projects

According to him,the Institution recently got approval for petroleum and gas engineering , emphasising on the need to facilitate the completion of the school of maritime academy at Ugbonla which is at 65 percent completion in order to start admitting students in year 2025.

The VC urged the State government to establish the Ministry of marine and blue economy in the State due to its strategic location and even as the state is working towards opening deep sea port, saying that the State has the largest coastline in Nigeria, while the school also has the manpower to drive the vision.

He commended the present government for prompt releasing of subvention and implementation of wage award to tertiary institutions Staff.