Senate Holds Hearing on Bayelsa Science University Bill

On October 22, the Senate, through its committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND, conducted a public hearing regarding a bill aimed at establishing the Federal University of Science and Technology in Korokorosei, Bayelsa. Senate President Godswill Akpabio, represented by Deputy Minority Whip Sen. Ibrahim Mustapha, highlighted the importance of assessing the university beyond mere establishment.

He stressed the necessity for sustainable funding, adequate facilities, and effective administration to transform research into industrial production and reduce reliance on imported technologies. Akpabio noted that the Niger Delta's greatest resource is its human potential and that the university could address environmental degradation while producing graduates equipped for national development.

Senator Muntari Dandutse, chairman of the committee, stated that the hearing allowed stakeholders to contribute to the proposed legislation, focusing on governance, funding, and long-term viability. Sen. Benson Konbowei, the bill's sponsor, indicated that the university would help address shortages in skilled manpower, particularly in science and technology.