Parliamentary oversight committee vows to expedite completion of the delayed Sh834.5 million university library project
The National Assembly's Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education has taken a keen interest in the progress of the library at the University of Kabianga. The committee, led by Bumula MP Wanami Wamboka, has committed to lobbying for adequate funding to ensure the completion of the long-overdue project.
The library construction, which commenced on June 8, 2017, is currently at a standstill, with progress reported at 72%. The initial expected completion date was June 4, 2020, but due to delays attributed to inadequate and irregular government funding, the project is more than seven years overdue.
Wamboka has emphasised the committee's concerns about procurement irregularities and financial impropriety in several universities, as highlighted in the Auditor-General's report. These loopholes, she says, are causing significant financial losses.
In a bid to address this issue, the committee has urged public universities to devise sustainable income-generating initiatives instead of over-relying on government funding. Prof. Maurice Oduor, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Planning and Research) at the University of Kabianga, has mentioned ongoing curriculum revisions to include courses in entrepreneurship, design thinking, and creativity.
Meanwhile, Prof. Erick Koech, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Kabianga, is awaiting a patent for the university's pineapple wine innovation. The university is also conducting research in "green leather" technology. These initiatives are part of the university's efforts towards becoming more self-sustaining, as emphasised by Prof. Isaac Naibei, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration and Finance).
In a positive development, Wamboka has stated that the committee will ensure the library at the University of Kabianga is completed. The committee is also lobbying the government to provide adequate resources for the completion of the Sh834.5 million library project.
As the University of Kabianga continues to innovate and strive for self-sufficiency, the completion of the library will undoubtedly provide a significant boost to its academic and research capabilities. The National Assembly's Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education's intervention is a positive step towards ensuring this much-needed facility is finally completed.
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