By Newslineglobal
Vice Chancellor of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology ,Prof. Aloysius-Michaels Okolie,
said that full 4G network shall be launched in the institution before the end of the month, saying that MTN has almost finished laying fibre cables within and around the campus and” we are hopeful that full 4G network shall be launched before the end of the month.
Okolie , who disclosed this on Thursday, in a press briefing, at the Agbani campus of the institution to mark his 365 days in office, added that the step was to provide Free WiFi for students in designated areas,” the VC said
He disclosedd that his administration was committed to improving the staff and students’ welfare through digitalisation of the institution.
Prof Okolie said they were making efforts to digitalise their records and had migrated to a new platform for handling of transcripts and presently at the teething period.
The VC also disclosed that the management pays the staff’s monthly salary regularly, in spite of the numerous challenges they met on ground.
“$ince the resumption of office , the management was confronted by number of clashing, splashing challenges, interest and inadequate funds to provide the needed infrastructure and welfare to workers.
“Debt of over N1 billion, accumulation of convocation since 2016, unpaid two month staff salary, other arears, poor network and other humanitarians needs,’ he said.
According to Okolie, there were other projects taken by the management to improve the standard and service delivery of the institution. They include, migration from statement of result to processing of certificate, promotion of fundamental principles of management by inclusive participation, use of committee-system approach and others”.
He disclosed that the institution interfaces with the security agents to ensure adequate security. They were making efforts to fence the institution too.
Prof. Okolie said they were working seriously to make Faculty of Agriculture a centre for excellence whereby their produce will feed the institution and the society at large
He disclosed that the management met a debt of over N1 billion on assumption of office and had spent N124, 143, 696.64 in 2022 on repayment of debt.
Prof. Okolie said the management was doing all it could, to better the working condition of the staff and the students in spite paucity of fund bedevelling the institution.
According to him, the institution recieves N204 million as subvention from the government as N136 million comes from the state government and N4m from each Local Government Area (LGA).
“At present, some Local Government Areas renaged payments by specified months and the total indebtedness arising from the non-payments amounts to N184 million.
“Even when the total subvention is paid in full, the management must augment to the tune of nearly N200 million to pay monthly salary of workers.
“It is heartwarming to note that through prudent management of the available resources, we have succeeded in reducing the institution wage bill to N40 million presently,” he said.