Calabar, Nigeria – The Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar (UNICAL), Prof. Florence Obi, has completed five abandoned TETFund projects in the institution within one year – from December 1, 2023, to December 1, 2024.
These projects include:
- Completion of abandoned Pharmaceutical and Medical Pharmacy Building
- Completion of abandoned Pharmacy Administrative Building
- Completion of abandoned Faculty of Education Ultra-Modern Building
- Completion of abandoned Faculty of Sciences Building
- Completion of abandoned Faculty of Engineering Administrative Block
Prof. Obi made the remark on Monday, December 2, 2024, during her 4th Anniversary celebration held at the University’s International Conference Centre.
According to her, “Within the last one year, we have undertaken the completion of a number of abandoned projects which have been an albatross on the University, posing a problem in accessing new interventions from funding agencies.
“Recall that when I came on board, our university was known by our supervisory bodies and funding agency TETFund as the University with the highest number of abandoned Federal Government funded projects. Today, the trajectory has changed as my administration has completed all but one TETFund abandoned project.
“We are working to get round the remaining abandoned TETFund project, which was before ICPC for lack of conformity with building standards.”
The Vice-Chancellor also said her administration has initiated and completed new projects, which are awaiting commissioning. There are:
- Completion of a Fire Service Station
- Construction of Workshop Building for Faculty of Engineering (Phase II)
- Ongoing construction and furnishing of a Hall of Fame/Multipurpose Hall
Obi also listed those to commence soon to include:
- Completion and furnishing of Professorial Building (opposite Faculty of Management Sciences)
- Construction and furnishing of a 125-bed-space hostel
- Construction of perimeter fence in the University
- Extension of EDC Complex
- Renovation of SLT blocks
The 11th and first female VC of UNICAL also listed other achievements within this period to include efficiency of examination and result management system leading to timely graduation, provision of key facilities for enhanced research, teaching and learning, attraction of research grants and collaborations, curriculum expansion, and successfull accreditation exercises.
Others are the development of the e-Library, operation of a smooth academic calendar and sessions, enhancement of staff and students’ welfare, creation of a gender-sensitive, inclusive and conducive environment for all, security, war against corruption, payment of backlog of taxes, among others.