By Adamu IMAM Bauchi
SAZU: Gov. Bala Vows Probe, Warns Management for Misappropriation
By Adamu Imam, Bauchi
Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has pledged to investigate the running of Sa'adu Zungur University to ensure effective service delivery and quality control in managing the affairs of the institution.
He made the pledge at the Executive Chamber, Government House in Bauchi, on Tuesday, while receiving the visitation panel report on the lingering issues affecting the conduct of the university since its inception in 2012.
The visitation panel, led by a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Professor Gambo Laraba, was inaugurated by the state governor to identify the existing problems plaguing the state university and report back within two months.
Governor Bala warned the administrators of the university against acts inimical to its success, as the government moves to change the school's narrative henceforth. He challenged the university administration for not doing well in transparency and other issues of concern throughout the institution, especially in revenue generation.
"Government would not reverse its decision just like that. We have sacked the Bursar of the school because there are a lot of skirmishes in terms of the money being collected from students. The governing council would help and recommend somebody better and capable to deliver in a transparent manner."
"No one has ever notified us on the process of student payment that is being collected. There's no account of that yet. All is happening in his office. Moreover, the contracts allocated to the university up to this moment, nobody can say anything about that to the government of the day," he stressed.
The Governor added that the government would also look into procurement issues, starting with the office of the Vice Chancellor. He commended the effort of the visitation panel committee led by Professor Gambo Laraba, saying she had done justice by protecting the interests of the people in the university.
Earlier, the leader of the committee, while handing over the panel report, expressed optimism that the report is a reflection of what transpired during the investigation and engagements with stakeholders of the institution.
"We have listened to all parties in the institution during our investigation, and we have seen issues of concern. We wrote our report and submitted it to His Excellency. We found a lot of explanations regarding the management of the university since its inception, no exit plan system for staff, and issues of academic unions and infrastructure."
The Governor stated that since the school is funded by the state government, it is only natural that it should be aware of key administrative decisions. He said the governing board would be reconstituted soon to enhance knowledge and supervise the management of the university optimally.
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Education