The Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, has disclosed that the US$50million University of Transportation, Daura, billed to take off September next year will be built free of charge by the Chinese government.
Amaechi who made this disclosure yesterday in Daura, Katsina State, when he embarked on maiden inspection tour of the ongoing project, also informed that Technics Engineering Architectural Marketing (TEAM), the project consultants have promised to provide their services free of charge as well.
The Transportation Minister, further explained that the brain behind the $50 million university is to acquire technology needed to operate the railway system currently being built by China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) when the Chinese withdraw.
Though not in the original plan, the Minister has directed the contractors to include a primary and secondary school in the master plan to cater for schooling needs of children of families who will be working there.
The Minister later paid courtesy call on the Executive Governor of Katsina State, Aminu Bello Masari, and the Emir of Daura, Umar Farouq Umar, where he appreciated the Katsina State government and the Daura Emirate for their benevolence in donating acres of land for the university to be built.
Responding, the Governor thanked the Minister for the enormous project which according to him portends limitless opportunities for his people and promised to provide security and support in whatever form to ensure the project becomes a reality.
In the same vein, Emir of Daura appreciated the Minister for his dedication and also pledged his support for the realisation of this project.
It will be recalled that the ground breaking ceremony for the project was performed by President Muhammadu on December 2, 2019.
Personalities on the inspection tour included: the Board Chairman, NRC, Ibrahim Alhassan and other senior government officials.
Eric Ojiekwe
D (PPR)
August 30, 2020
