University of Jos - Nigeria
UNIJOS TASKFORCE COMMITTEE ON NARAGUTA BRICKS AND CLAY LIMITED (NBCL) ASKED TO TRANSFORM THE PLANT
The Vice-Chancellor, University of Jos, Professor Seddi Sebastian Maimako, has charged the new Task Force Committee on Naraguta Bricks and Clay Limited (NBCL) to resuscitate and restore the plant and make it a productive enterprise that would attract both local and foreign investors. Professor Maimako said this while inaugurating the Task Force on Naraguta Bricks and Clay Limited, Naraguta recently acquired by the University. Professor Maimako described the acquisition of the property by the University as one of the greatest milestones of his Administration and noted that he had initial reservations about investing in the venture considering the paucity of funds in the University among other challenges. He commended Staff of the University involved in the project for their untiring efforts in making the dream a reality.
Professor Maimako also encouraged the Committee members to work diligently in accordance with their terms of reference stressing that is not the acquisition of the facility that matters, but the post-acquisition plan and the roadmap that would lead to the full recovery of the plant. He pledged the Administration’s willingness to work with the taskforce and assured them of full support in achieving this noble objective.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Teresa Nmadu gave a brief history about the University’s efforts to acquire the plant. According to her, the plant was initially a government-owned enterprise which winded up and was released into the custody of Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE) from where University took ownership.
Responding, Chairman of the Task Force, Professor Ema Ema of the Department of Fine and Applied Arts, University of Jos, thanked the University Administration for the opportunity to serve the University in their respective capacities. He assured the Administration of their readiness and commitment to serve, stating that they are “equal to the task”.
Professor Ema said the Committee would set up a 24hour workforce at the site to ensure that operations immediately commence at the site. He highlighted some of the activities that would take place in the newly acquired plant to include Training, Research and production among others.
Mr. Damina Bako, a representative of the Naraguta community said the Community was happy with the University’s initiative in acquiring the plant. He pledged the community’s readiness to cooperate with the University and pleaded with the University authority to consider members of the community for employment and other opportunities that may avail.
Other members of the Task Force Committee are;
Engineer Danjuma Dajab- Department of Electronic Engineering
Mr. Simsul Gonet- Representative, Plateau Investment and Property Company Limited.
Manjo Jalment- Representative of former NBCL
Mrs. Rachel Ibi-Kuzu – Representative of the Bursar