The Alumni of the Dr Hilla Liman Technical University (DHLTU) in Wa have petitioned the University Governing Council over what they described as several important projects that have yet to commence since their announcement.
According to the group, the lack of progress is concerning, as these initiatives are vital for the institution’s development.
Parts of the six-page petition stated that “Naa Chairman, our institution has since been the least developed nationwide. Of all the 10 technical universities in the country ours could be said to be outrightly underdeveloped, and more so with not even a single student hostel, faculty building to house lecturers’ offices, and other academic-friendly amenities for conducive learning,” the Alumni mater of the institution has said.
The petition titled, “Petition on Stalled Development Projects in Our Institution” was addressed to the Chairman of the Governing Council of the University, dated November 26, 2024, and signed by Annaaka Waris, Chairman of the Alumni, for and on behalf of all Alumni of the school as well as all concerned general public with interest in the subject matter.
The petition emphasized that as former students who are also stakeholders of the institution with greater stakes seeking to see the progress and development of the school, they are not happy about a stalled 400-capacity student hostel project in the university while similar projects in other institutions were either completed or progressing slowly.
“As immediate internal stakeholders of the institution with higher and greater stakes as former students who are passionate about seeing the progress and development of our alma mater, we seek answers and immediate action to the following concerns, which are of public interest.
“It has come to our notice that our Institution was a beneficiary of a new 400-bed capacity hostel facility as part of the Tertiary Education Improvement Programme (TEIP) by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC). It was also of interest to note that the contract was awarded and a parcel of land was allocated by the University for execution of same.”
“But it is so sad to note that, out of all the institutions that benefitted from the projects, it is only our institution that has not seen any commencement or ground-breaking for the project. While other institutions are either completed or almost on the verge of completion, DHLTU is yet to witness even a clearance of the site,” the petition lamented.
The group also sought to find out the measures the Council had taken to ensure the commencement of the stalled project to enhance the smooth running of the tertiary institution like its peers.
“If it is true that the project was allocated somewhere in January 2024 and was expected to commence, but the contractor has since relinquished the project. Our concerns are:
“Can’t the contract be re-packaged or re-awarded to another contractor as quickly as possible per the need? Why must we be the ones to suffer the loss while leadership looks on unconcerned? What steps has the Council taken as a matter of urgency to resolve this (Almost a year) aside from the VC’s nominal updates on the same issue which has yielded no positivity over time? What steps has the Council taken in terms of infrastructure development within their 4 years in council?”
“Secondly Naa Chairman, we need responses from management regarding the abandoned GETFUND hostel facility. Can’t a firm and positive ‘radical’ management decision be taken on that project to at least solve our housing issues for students which generally affects student intake in the institution?
Our members and the general interest body would want to know what has become of that project, and the way forward,” the group quizzed.
The petition raising concerns over another critical project also bemoaned that: “Sir Chairman, the internal campus road network is another issue of public interest; the award of contract for this project was initiated somewhere in 2020, and a ceremony was held to introduce the contractor to the community and subsequently was led to hand over the site to. Four (4) years and adding, yet, nothing positive is realised.”
The group, therefore, calls on the Council to put on hold the approval of service benefits for senior officers until proper auditing is done to enable them to account for their stewardship or be able to see to the fruition of the aforementioned stalled projects, the absence of which is having a negative bearing on learning.
“We, therefore, suggest and implore that the sudden mad rush to approve service benefits of senior officers who have served their tenure should be on hold until they are made to account for their stewardship or they follow up to the fruition of at least the above concerns. One who has not made enough impact cannot be appreciated,” the petition stated.
The group, however, warned that failure to address the concerns raised would determine their next line of action as soon as possible.
Aside from Upper West Regional Minister, Hon. Stephen Yakubu, and all media outlets, the petition was also copied to TUTAG, TEWU and SRC.
