WILBERFORCE ISLAND — A prominent voice in Bayelsa State, Prof. Ben Binabai, has called on the state government to urgently revisit and complete the long-stalled Convocation Arena project at the Niger Delta University (NDU), warning that the site risks becoming another symbol of abandoned public promises.
In a statement issued through his social media team, Prof. Binabai described the scene at the project site as troubling, noting that what should be a proud ceremonial edifice for the university remains an unfinished structure overtaken by gravel, scattered building materials and encroaching vegetation.
According to the signboard at the site, the project was awarded by the Government of Bayelsa State in 2024, with the Ministry of Education, Yenagoa, as supervising ministry and Architectronix Limited as contractor. It is still officially listed as "On-Going." However, Prof. Binabai noted that the physical evidence on ground tells a different story, with construction activity appearing to have stalled.
"A convocation arena is more than a building. It is where years of teaching, research, sacrifice and intellectual labour culminate in public celebration," Prof. Binabai said, stressing that the facility would serve as a central ceremonial space for graduating students, university leaders, and families for generations to come.
He emphasized that his comments were not an accusation but an appeal, acknowledging that contractual, financial, technical or administrative issues not visible from the site could explain the delay. He called on relevant authorities to be given the opportunity to explain the project's current status and to take decisive steps toward its completion.
"Whatever difficulties may have affected its progress should be addressed decisively. If there are outstanding obligations, they should be resolved. If funding is required, the necessary arrangements should be made," he stated.
Prof. Binabai urged the Bayelsa State Government to ensure the project moves from "on-going" on paper to a completed reality, describing the arena as a facility that "belongs to the future of Niger Delta University and to the generations of students whose academic achievements deserve to be celebrated with dignity."
He concluded by calling for accountability and transparency on the project's timeline, asking when construction would resume and when the university community could expect the Convocation Arena to be completed.
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