Former Federal Works Minister and Pro-Chancellor/Chairman, FUNAAB Governing Council, Sir/Senator (Dr.) Adeseye Ogunlewe, has charged authorities of the nation’s ivory towers to, as a matter of necessity, involve their engineering students in construction works at projects sites on University campuses.
Ogunlewe, who gave the charge during his on-the-spot assessment tour of on-going projects at FUNAAB, frowned at the increasing spate of half-baked graduates being produced in the country’s tertiary institutions. He attributed the ugly trend to the in-exposure of students to the practical aspect of their study by the school authorities. Pointing out affirmatively that such would not be condoned in FUNAAB, as he stressed the need for stakeholders to involve their students.
The Council Chairman expressed satisfaction at the quality of work done so far in the University, as he charged contractors and consultants handling the projects to expedite action and avoid cutting corners in order to ensure that they deliver quality projects of international standard, which could stand the test of time.
Accompanied by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olusola Oyewole and other Principal Officers of the University, the Pro-Chancellor was guided on the tour by the Director of the Physical Planning Unit (PPU), Mr. Babatunde Ayodele and his Deputy, Arch. Babatunde Anasanwo, to inspect the projects at the College of Management Science (COLMAS), 2500-Capacity Auditorium, Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Swimming Pool, Information and Communication Technology Resource Centre (ICTREC) and the Road Construction to the third gate of the University.
Appraising the COLMAS project, a N500m donation from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Site Clerk and a Chief Planning Officer of the Physical Planning Unit, Mrs. Odunola Akinsola, rated the project to be 60 per cent completed, while the plastering, tiling, electrical, piping and plumbing work are on-going. She stated that the consultant and contractor had agreed that the project would be delivered by October, 2013.
The Urban and Regional Planner said that the project consisted mainly of Lecture Halls, Offices, Laboratory and Conference Rooms.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olusola Oyewole, had earlier noted that the building would also have an auditorium, stating that the University had written to the CBN for additional funds to complete this.
At the 2,500-capacity Auditorium Complex, the Deputy Director, PPU, Architect Babatunde Anasanwo, said the project was 90 per cent completed and would be delivered soon.
According to Arch. Anasanwo, the auditorium was designed basically to take care of major social and academic activities of the University, like Convocation Ceremonies, and expressed hope that the coming convocation would be held in the new auditorium.
The Chief Technical Officer, PPU, Mr. Timothy Odedunmoye, who was one of those who received the Pro-Chancellor at the ICTREC building, described the project as a state-of-the art project and the first being initiated wholly by the administration of the current Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olusola Oyewole.
The Surveyor disclosed that the contract is for the construction of 22 rooms, 3 cyber cafés, computer room as well as the server room. He said that the project is at about 30-40 per cent completed with the casting work on-going.
Meanwhile, an undergraduate in the University, undergoing his Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES), at the Physical Planning Unit and attached to the proposed ICTREC building has shared his experience on the project.
Shittu Yusuf Olatunji, a 300-level student in the Department of Civil Engineering said he chose to undergo his Industrial Training (IT) at the PPU because he wanted to have practical and first-hand experience in the drawing of designs and field work.
According to him, “so far on the training site, I have experienced how to design and cast a staircase, I have also been taught how to cast a beam, placement of form work, reinforcement and mixing ration of concrete, among others.
Speaking on the Veterinary Teaching Hospital project, Messrs David Orhemba and Babatunde Otesile said that the project was 98 per cent completed aside some set- backs which were identified during the pre-handing over inspection by the consultant, and these were being rectified by the contractor.
He disclosed that the Teaching Hospital is divided into three blocks A, B and C and is expected to house the Administrative Offices, Reception, Laboratories, Washing and Weighing Rooms, Animal Pens and Stables, adding that the hospital also has an elevator within the complex, to lift heavy animals.
Both Pro-Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor commended the contractor and made some observations on how to improve the flooring of some parts of the building.
At the Swimming Pool and Auxiliary Building, Mr. Adeniyi Folawewo, a Senior Planning Officer (Architecture), revealed that the project had two recreational types of Swimming Pools- a Children or Learner Pool and an Adult Pool, which were designed to complement the International Scholars’ and Resource Centre.
He gave the progress of work done to be 70 per cent. According to Folawewo, the auxiliary building is expected to accommodate the Changing Room, Office, Counter, Toilet, Shower Area, Store and Filtration Room.