Construction work on the University of Transportation in Daura, Katsina State, would commence in September.
Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, made this known, Saturday, during a courtesy call on the Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Massari at the Government House, Katsina.
The specialised institution is estimated to gulp a whopping $50 million, upon completion.
According to the minister, the China Civil Engineering Construction (CCECC), had recently obtained permission from the state government to begin work.
Recall that the CCECC in 2017, had undertaken to establish a University of Transportation in Nigeria, in fulfilment of the bilateral relations between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and People’s Republic of China.
“Construction work will commence in September. What they are doing now is clearing, they have promised to build a primary school and a secondary school in the university.
“This university is a donation by the Chinese government through CCECC. The Teachnigue, Engineering, and Marketing (TEAM) has also accepted to do the consultancy job”, Amaechi said.
Earlier, the former Governor of Rivers State, visited the Emir of Daura Alhaji, Umar Farooq Umar.
This was shortly after he inspected the project site, preparatory to commencement of work.
The minister used the occasion to clarify that the university was not part of the railway contract, but a donation to the federal government, by the Chinese government.
His words: “This is not a railway contract. This is a gift from them. I have said my assumption is that they should finish by next year September”,
“We are here on the assignment of ministry of transportation. The President wanted to know the status of the university that he performed it’s groundbreaking, so, we decided to come today with CCECC and TEAM. I also want to thank you for even providing land to construct the university.
“Having done that, let me also thank the CCECC for accepting to construct the university free of charge. It is not part of the railway contract, we spoke with CCECC and told them to train Nigerians who will take over from them in their technology and they agreed. All Nigerians from all parts of the country are entitled to come here for studies, In the same as lecturing. Those who will teach are not only going to come from Daura, they will come from all parts of the country.
“So, we agreed with CCECC to build the University , and we chose Daura. We believe that the school would be completed next year hopefully, and then we can start studies.”
Responding, Katsina state governor, Mallam Aminu Massari, thanked the minister for citing the university in Daura, assuring that the state government would ensure cordial relationship exists between them and the construction company.
