A delegation from the University for Development Studies (UDS) led by the principal of the wa campus paid a courtesy call on the Upper West Regional Minister Dr. Hafiz bin salih and his Deputy Hon. Amidu Chinnia, in the office. The purpose of the visit was to formally congratulate the Minister for his appointment and to also brief him on the state of the University.
Principal of the UDS Wa campus, Professor Amin Alhassan addressing the status of the university indicated that, the inauguration of a university requires infrastructure and therefore called on government to come to their aid by completing all uncompleted projects on campus. According to him, there has been some number of uncompleted projects on campus which when completed, would solve the infrastructure deficit in the university.
He added that, security has become a major challenge to them on campus which needs to be addressed by the Regional Minister and his outfit. He explained that even though they have put in place some mechanisms with the Bamahu Assembly man, it was not enough to deal with the entire security situation. He appealed to the Minister to assist the school for a permanent solution by getting them a police station in Bamahu. “Getting a police station in Bamahu would minimize crime on campus”, he noted.
According to Professor Amin, the university has a challenge on payment of electricity bills especially, at the time that government is introducing a policy that all universities should start paying electricity bill on their own. He said they had a discussion with NEDCO over a six (6) Million electricity debt they owe. He noted that, the monthly electricity bills of the university is about 70,000 of which 70% of the bills is consumed by students at their hostels.
Professor Amin said, in solving the problem, the school Authorities has decided to fix prepaid meters in all students’ hostels in other to control the high consumption rate.
Upper West Regional Minister in response to the request made by the Principal, indicated that, the Regional Coordinating Council has taken critical note of the uncompleted projects doted around the university. He then tasked the university administration to furnish the RCC with list of all uncompleted projects so that it can be forwarded to the Ministry of Education for further actions.
Dr Bin Salih indicated that, by September 2019, the bill that is before Parliament for the UDS Wa campus autonomy would be passed and that there is the need to get some of the uncompleted projects, completed to enable the university function efficiently.
On security issues, the Minister assured that he was working hard with the Minister of Interior to increase the number of police personnel in the region which would also aid the Police Service put up a police post in Bamahu.
He added that he would take up the issue of electricity with the Minister of Education and however cautioned the University Authorities against increasing students fees because of the electricity debt.