Parents of students of the Federal
Government Girls College, Ikot Obio Itong, Mkpat Enin Local Government
Area, Akwa Ibom State, have criticised the Federal Government over the
invasion of the college’s dormitory by snakes.
It was learnt that the continued
invasion of reptiles in the hostess is due to thick bushes covering the
back of the dormitory. Besides, deep holes which are caused by the
opening of the ground, are said to have provided habitation for snakes,
especially as grasses grow on top of the hostels’ roofs.
A parent and member of Parent Teacher
Association of the college, Mr. Bassey Eyo, said the deplorable state of
infrastructure in the college is a cause for concern.
He revealed that the development was caused by long neglect of the college by the federal government.
Eyo told our correspondent that the
situation is so bad that the principal had to vacate her office which
had collapsed and had to take refuge in one of the classrooms she
converted to her new office.
“Snakes are natural phenomenon here.
Where walls have fallen apart, the college is not properly fenced or
fumigated; the place becomes havens for reptiles. My daughter and her
friends have often times been complaining of invasion of reptiles in the
college.
“Since the inception of the college,
first as a teachers’ training college, for more than 40 years, nothing
has been added to reflect its new status as a federal government
institution for grooming girls.
“Even in your house, when you allow
dilapidation to set in, snakes could find a place to live. Look at the
structures, the walls, and the hostess, the ground itself has opened up
due to long period of neglect of the college.
“The deplorable state of infrastructure
in the college, the dormitory, the staff quarters, the principal office,
even some classrooms are in terrible state.
“It is hard to imagine that is where
government expects to produce future leaders. I am appealing to all the
authorities concerned, the FG, who happens to be the proprietor of the
school, Niger Delta Development Commission, and Petroleum Education
Trust Fund, to assist,” he said.
He stated that parents have done much
for the college over the years. He said that the PTA had provided, to a
large extent, some facilities like new buildings, adding that there was
limit to what the association could do as parents, especially as the
school belongs to the FG.
He noted that the FG had done much work
to revamp education in the country, asking that the effort should also
be extended to the college.
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