Residents of Cross River State are grumbling and have faulted the state governor over the recent decision of the government to situate two new higher institutions in the southern senatorial district which already has three universities.
In different public commentaries, they mentioned that the government was insensitive and have denied other parts of the state benefits of higher institutions in their parts of the state.
A critical stakeholder in the central senatorial leader, Anthony Bissong Attah decried the decision of Cross River State Executive Council to situate two more tertiary institutions in the southern senatorial district.
Last Wednesday, the Council met and the governor gave his assent to the Bills to establish the Cross River State University of Education and Entrepreneurship, Akamkpa and the Cross River State College of Agriculture and Forestry in the southern district.
It would be recalled that on Wednesday the State House of Assembly had deliberated and passed the bills to the governor for his assent.
Bissong who is also the state chairman of Young Progressives Party, YPP, frowned at the governor’s assent, saying there are already a federal school, the University of Calabar, another a state-owned, Cross River State University as well as a private tertiary institution, Arthur Jarvis University, all in the southern district
He said, “Situating two government owned, Federal and State, universities in the South plus a private owned university, Arthur Jarvis, is not a good idea, no matter how anyone else looks at it.
“Ikom, as the fastest growing town, arguably, in Nigeria and the main economic hub in Cross River State, is without any tertiary institution. Government ought to have cited these schools in Ikom.”
Bissong contended that Prof Anthony Owan-Eno, Secretary to the State government and the Speaker, Elvert Ayambem, both from central district like himself, should have made a strong case for a tertiary institution to be established in Ikom to reduce the already intense pressure on Calabar.
A public commentator, Hope Unopposed in his social media page drew attention to Delta State where schools are spread in different parts of the state.
“As wonderful as Asaba is, even as the State capital, it’s without a University. It’s recently that authorities established Dennis Osadebe University in Asaba.
“Delsu is in Abraka, Delta State University of Science & Tech is in Ozoro, other higher institutions of learning are established in other towns other than Asaba.
“This has to a larger extent contributed to the growth and development of other rural areas making Asaba not to be the only developed center in the State.
“Today, you can stay anywhere in Delta State and be comfortable even if you aren’t staying in Asaba. That of Cross River is a different thing entirely. Once you aren’t in Calabar, then forget about it.
“I begin to wonder why one city will have the following institutions: Unical, 2. Unicross, 3. College of Health, 4. Federal school of Nursing, and, 5. State school of Nursing & Midwifery.”
Mr Anthoby Ibin contended that the two schools should have been given to Ikom in the central district being the commercial hub of Cross River.
However, Mr Emmanuel Awor, said “Your concerns are valid. However, amongst other things, we have to consider the cost of constructing a campus in Ikom or any other part of Central, as the existing campus in Akamkpa gives the Government an easier alternative.
“Let’s be hopeful that the Government will be able to adequately fund existing Universities, before talking about establishing a new one.”
A graduate, Egwu Daniel in Biase LGA, wondered how students will have N1000 to pay daily for transportation to the campuses in Ikom LGA where also a plate of food goes for N3000!
Commissioner for education, Senator Stephen Odey said the state government took time to deliberate over where to cite the two new higher institutions, and the interests of the state are overriding.
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