Funtua – Katsina State Government has commenced fencing of the Ahmadu Bello University’s School of Basic and Remedial Studies (ABU-SBRS) Funtua, to protect facilities in the institution.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the institution had in the last two years, experienced nine consecutive mysterious fire incidents.
The inferno, suspected to have been caused by trespassers, destroyed the institution’s administrative block, student hostels, mosque and laboratories leading to the closure of the school last year.
Alhaji Garba Lado, the contractor handling the project told NAN on Monday in Funtua that the fencing, which began last month,was being executed according to standard specification.
Lado explained that Gov. Aminu Masari directives for local sourcing of manpower and working materials in the execution of government projects was strictly complied with in handling the project.
He said the total area coverage of the fence was about 2.6 kilometres with six separate large concrete drainages for erosion control.
The contractor commended Masari on his local content policy stressing that the measure had created thousands of jobs for people of the area as well as increased local business activity especially in the construction industry.
Lado acknowledged that government’s contract before now were been handled by people from outside the state, which robbed local residents of job opportunities and development of the economy.
The District Head of Funtua, Alhaji Sambo Idris, commended Masari on the project and called on the school authority, students and neighbouring communities to safeguard the school from vandals.
Idris, who is also the chairman of a indigenous voluntary group soliciting support for rehabilitation of the school, urged organizations, individuals and groups to assist the institution to overcome its numerous challenges. (NAN)
