Uzodinma Gives FUTO Back Its Allocated Land

Communities which are hosts to the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, FUTO, and which have been infiltrating on the lands allocated to the University had better back off. That will no longer be tolerated as every inch of  the land will be back to the owners FUTO

The Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma gave this  assurance to the authorities of the Federal University and assured them that the  institution will enjoy unchallenged access to the parcel of land allocated to it 40 years ago by Government.

Governor Uzodimma, therefore, promised to work with the institution to remove all encumbrances that will militate against its expansion and service to the society as envisaged by the founding fathers many years ago.

According to the Governor’s Special Adviser/ Chief Press Secretary, Oguwike Nwachuku, the governor spoke on Wednesday when he paid an official visit to FUTO, particularly with regard to reports of festering issue of land allocated to the school and intruders.

Governor Uzodimma told the Principal Officers of the university that he was in the school to have first-hand information of what the problems are and to “ensure that all the encumbrances are removed and the school protected.”

The Governor reiterated that his visit was to “ensure that the school has unchallenged access to original allocation made to the school long ago,” noting that, like his predecessors,  he will want to see that “the land allocated to FUTO is sustained and left for them.”

To achieve the above, the Governor sought for a united front and encouraged the institution to work in tandem with the objectives of the founding fathers.

Governor Uzodimma also informed that  he was happy to hear that the Medical School of FUTO is becoming a reality.

His words: “We are very jubilant and it is a thing of joy to note that the Medical School of the Federal University of Technology Owerri has become a reality.  It is, therefore, our responsibility to encourage the management to put in their best in sustaining the achievement so far made.”

While promising to support the University to protect and sustain the land allocation to it, the Governor urged the Vice Chancellor and the Management to ensure “regular and full tax remittances to the State Government as at when due.”

He further urged members of the Management to do their best to build perimeter fence as a way to protect the School from external aggression and interference.

He noted: “We want the school to be a complete University Community, where all the faculties including the Medical School and the Teaching Hospital are all in the same University Community.”

Welcoming the Governor and his entourage earlier at the FUTO Senate Building, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Mrs. Nnenna Oti expressed gratitude that the Governor visited them to have first hand information of the university’s challenges.

She pledged to sustain the school’s commitment to the society, particularly as regards corporate social responsibility, by ensuring that the University pays its taxes regularly.

She also committed to a peaceful coexistence between the university, the students and the host communities.

The Governor and his entourage later visited the disputed boundaries of the allocated land.

Governor  Uzodimma was accompanied on the visit by the Deputy Governor of the State,  Prof. Placid Njoku, Imo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Abutu Yaro, the Imo State Director of Security Services and members of the State Executive Council.