- Bayelsa deputy governor tasks researchers
The Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, has tasked researchers on ending the effects of pollution and environmental degradation in the state and in the Niger Delta.
The deputy governor gave the charge when he received an 8-member delegation of the Department of Geography and Environmental Management of the Niger Delta University (NDU), at the Government House, Yenagoa.
The visiting delegation of the department was led by the Sub-Dean, Post-Graduate School, Prof. Odafivwotu Ohwo.
Ewhrudjakpo, who noted that the department had a strategic role to play in guiding relevant ministries and agencies of government to tackle environmental challenges, said there was need for the department to venture into issues bordering on climate change and other environmental challenges.
According to him, much is expected from the university in the area of conducting important researches with far-reaching findings that will help in solving problems of society.
“We felt that the university is meant for the town and the gown. But these days, the university appears to be so much of the gown and not enough of the town.
“We expect that your department should be able to venture into the issues of pollution in our state and the Niger Delta area; take some samples, do tests and come out with some environmental reports that suggest that you are up to date.
“On the issue of the level of pollution and environmental degradation, I expect you to come to town and not remain in the gown alone, so that we can see some researches and findings from our university that will guide the ministry of environment and other ministries and agencies in making sound decisions,” the deputy governor said.
Responding to the issue of accreditation raised by the delegation, Ewhrudjakpo assured that government would take a holistic approach to addressing the requirements of the National Universities Commission (NUC) before the next accreditation exercise.
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He advised the department to channel its requirements for the forthcoming accreditation through the university’s management.
The deputy governor, who thanked the department for their sacrifice and show of patriotism that culminated in the success of the accreditation exercise some five years ago, reminded all state-owned tertiary institutions to submit their requirements six months to the due date for their respective accreditation exercises.
Earlier, the Sub-Dean, Post Graduate School, Niger Delta University, Prof. Odafivwotu Ohwo, acknowledged the state government’s commitment to educational development, and appealed for its support towards the growth of the geography and environmental management department of the university.
Prof. Ohwo specifically called on the state government to assist the department in equipping its weather-house, geographical information system, geomorphological and cartography laboratories with vital instruments to promote research and quality teaching.
According to him, the provision of these and other essential instruments will help the department to scale through the forthcoming accreditation process as well as attract research grants and external funding.
