The new hostel
The Regional Maritime University (RMU) has commissioned a new hostel as part of efforts to solve the accommodation problems faced by students.
The new hostel named “Gambia Hostel” sponsored by the Republic of Gambia, was commissioned as part of the 18th Board of Governors meeting held last Friday to dialogue on issues affecting the university.
Estimated to cost $400, 000, the three- storey building has 48 rooms with the top floor reserved for dignitaries and expatriates.
Principal Assistant Secretary of the Ministry of Transport, Works and Infrastructure at the Republic of Gambia, Ebrima Sanneh said, the RMU approached the former President of The Gambia, Yahya Jameh during the 11th Board of Governors meeting in 2011, to help build a hostel for the university.
The appeal he said was accepted and funds were made available for the building of the facility which was commissioned by the Minister of Transport who doubles as the Chancellor of the RMU, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah.
“We were involved in periodic visits to determine progress and adherence to standards and specifications as we do not want to throw our money away and wait for the last day to see what we have,” he stated.
According to him, they ensured that the building has quality, value for money and benefit all, especially the foreign students.
He encouraged other member countries to emulate the gesture to ensure that the issue of non-availability of hostels becomes a thing of the past.
“Students being on campus would help as it would ensure they feel the cordiality that universities provide worldwide,” he stated.
Chancellor of the University, Mr Asiamah speaking ahead of the commissioning reaffirmed government’s commitment to developing the RMU into a world class specialised university for maritime affairs.
“We have no doubts that the other members in the Republics of Cameroon, The Gambia, Liberia and Sierra Leone are also equally committed to this course as exemplified in their active participation and contributions to this shining example of the prowess of regional integration,” he stated.
The RMU he said has witnessed significant progress in projects including The Gambia Hostel, the Administration and Library Complex sponsored by the government of Ghana through the GETFund.
“I wish to reassure our member Governments that the University has strong foundations to successfully implement its Strategic Plan for transforming RMU into a university of excellence for the development of the maritime industry in the member states,” he stated.
By Michael D. Abayateye
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