By: Felix Ikpotor
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has declared that there will be no increment of fees in all the state government owned tertiary institution.
Speaking during the flag-off of the National Union of Rivers State Students (NURSS) secretariat building at the Rivers State University in Port Harcourt on Thursday, Wike said that no head of institution has the permission to increase fees.
He said: “I don’t interfere in the running of the State University. But when I heard that they were discussing the increment of fees, I had to intervene to immediately stop them.
“I don’t want any institution to announce the increment of fees. There should be no increment of fees at any level. I am stopping it because things are very difficult “.
He however, regretted that people play politics with education in the state and advised Rivers people to shun people who politicize education.
On the bursary to Rivers State Students in tertiary institutions, the governor announced that he will pay bursary to students after conducting biometrics of eligible students.
The governor charged the leaders of NURSS to ensure the judicious use of the new national secretariat, saying that the new facility should not generate crisis amongst them.
While thanking the Rivers State University for making land available for the construction of the NURSS National Secretariat, Wike assured that the project will be completed in three months.
In a project description, Special Adviser on Special Projects to the Rivers State Governor, Alabo George Kerley said that the new NURSS Secretariat covers 450 metres with a multi-purpose hall, offices and restaurant.
He said that the secretariat is designed to be a revenue earner for the students body.
Vice Chancellor of the school, Prof Blessing Didia in his remarks said that by the construction of the new national secretariat, the governor has proven to be students friendly.
He said that the University will stand by the Rivers State Governor beyond 2019.
President of National Union of Rivers State Students, Comrade Patrick Ogbuehi said that the new national secretariat will re-define the union and make it function effectively.
