By Emmanuel Ejike (Student Editor)
As part of activities to celebrate the University of Jos at 40, a contractor, Messre Moulds Nigeria Limited has, yesterday handed over a 344 metres pedestrian bridge linking the Students’ Village Hostel with Naraguta Campus in a brief ceremony which saw all principal officers of the University in attendance.
The structure, adjudged to be the longest footbridge in West Africa is the cynosure of all eyes and adorned with customized solar powered lighting, was completed under a period of 8 months, from late December 2014 to mid-August 2015.
In the words of Arch. Halima Auta, Director, Directorate of Physical Facilities, the Mafuyai-led administration has achieved a great feat. She added that the pedestrian bridge is part of the master plan of the University, but has not been realised as several attempts by different administrations to pull it through were unsuccessful.
Testifying to this, Engr. Benjamin Adamu, who had worked with the school for the past 31 years said the role of students in the bridge construction was also crucial as they gave the counsel for the best location of the bridge to the contactors.
The Managing Director, Messre Moulds Nigeria ltd, Engr. Samuel Oyafemi assured that the footbridge is built at best standards and was delivered according to specifications of the University. He reiterated his company’s willingness to work with the University whenever they are called upon.
“We guarantee that the lifespan of the bridge would be attained without any iota of doubt”. He pledged.
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Hayward Babale Mafuyai, who ‘pooped Champagne’ to success of the construction, said the project is born out of the University’s drive to cater for the welfare of its students.
“With the incessant civil disturbances in town, students are exposed to danger and so it became our resolve to pursue the project with all the vigour and determination required”. He explained.
While saying that the bridge is need-driven, he thanked the students-community whom he acknowledged largely contributed to the fund used in the construction of the bridge.
The VC stating clearly that the bridge is not government financed and assured students that the development levy they pay yearly is put into good use. He urged them to use the bridge all the time and prayed that no student will lose their life in the course of crossing the bridge.
The Dean, Student Affairs, Prof. Ishmael Ogboru expressed confidence that the bridge will serve its purpose and acknowledged that the contractors, on a general note, are doing fantastic works in the University.
The students, represented by a member of the SUG caretaker committee, Cmrd. Gyang Francis, described the footbridge as really great and will be of great benefit to the University at large.
“We will give you our maximum cooperation to ensure that a radical transformation of infrastructure is attained in this school”. He addressed.
It would be recalled that the footbridge encloses River Dilimi which had drowned a student of the University, nearly 3 years ago, hence the utmost importance attached to the project from start to finish.
