THE House of Representatives has asked the Federal Government to immediately release take-off grants to universities, some of which were established decades ago.

 The House particularly mandated the Federal Government to “as a matter of urgency release the take-off grant meant for the University of Uyo.”

The call followed the unanimous adoption of a motion moved at the plenary on Tuesday, titled, ‘Non-release of take-off grant to federal universities across the country.’

Moving the motion, Mr Unyime Idem (PDP/Akwa Ibom), noted that there were some federal universities in Nigeria that had yet to receive take-off grants decades after their establishment and commencement of academic activities.

Idem described take-off grants as seed funds provided by the Federal Government to assist newly established universities for take-off of academic activities, training, salaries of pioneer workers, provision of requisite technology, books and other crucial materials needed to run the school.

He said, “University of Uyo, formerly known as the University of Cross River State, a third generation university established on October 1, 1991, commenced academic activities without the initial take-off grant and had to grapple with lean resources to manage its affairs and as a result, could not develop properly till date.

“Other institutions such as the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umuahia; University of Jos; and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, among others, have yet to receive their take-off grants decades after being established, and this has hampered their growth.

“The House is concerned that this unfortunate development has hampered the rapid provision of required infrastructure at various main campuses of the affected universities overstretching the existing facilities due to lack of lecture halls.”