By Marie-Therese Nanlong

Jos – The Acting Vice Chancellor of Plateau State University, PLASU, Bokkos, Professor Shedrack Best has asked for additional support from the State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and the Chairmen of the 17 local government areas of the State to enhance quality service delivery in the University.

Professor Best led his team on a visit to the Commissioner of the Ministry, Ephraim Usman in his office in Jos on Thursday, commended the efforts the Ministry and the State Chapter of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, are making in the institution and urged for more as the critical needs of PLASU remain unmet.

He reminded that the 17 local government areas are co-owners of the University and listed PLASU’s immediate challenges, including the lack of staff housing, means of transportation, insufficient students’ hostel, insufficient water supply, and growing security threats, especially for off-campus students, and insufficient lighting of the campus.

His words, “I’m delighted to be at the Ministry for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, and by the structure of Plateau State, this place is a heartbeat of Plateau because it brings together all the 17 local governments and the entire fabric of the chieftaincy institutions of this State…

“By the law establishing Plateau State University, the 17 local governments are co-owners of the University, and that’s why, from inception, the funding arrangement provided for them to co-fund with the State government the activities of the University. This has been the case throughout the existence of the University until the funding formula was rearranged.

“Let me commend the Commissioner because since he assumed office, he has made efforts to ensure that remittances to Plateau State University do not fall short. We may complain that what we get is below what the law expected, but the fact that you still make an effort to remit what you have committed to remit to the University is commendable. There are many other areas of collaboration we can look into, one of which is the training for your staff across the 17 local government areas, including the executive cadre.

“We have challenges in the areas of water supply, staff housing, security, and transportation. Over 90% of our students live off the campus and are targets to criminal elements, we need vehicles to ease the movements of our staff and students in and out of the campus.”

Best suggested the provision of solar energy, supporting sporting activities, scholarships to indigent students, as well as the provision of other infrastructure for the good of the staff and students.

Responding, the Commissioner and Kemi Nshe, the Chairman of the Shendam local government area who represented ALGON at the brief event, commended the Acting VC’s efforts in the institution, acknowledged the key role quality education plays in society, and pledged increased support for the educational advancement of the State.