By: Joseph A. Adudu, February 17, 2022
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| Assembly Hall under construction |
The Federal School of Medical Laboratory Science Technology FSMLST Jos was established in 1954. It was meant to provide the much needed middle level manpower requirement in the health sector of the Nigerian economy but was later upgraded in 1973 to train high level Medical Laboratory Scientists many of whom are occupying top positions in universities, Research Institutions and many other places both within and outside Nigeria.
Our investigation showed that since its establishment almost 70 years ago, the Institution has never witnessed the kind of tremendous successes as it has recorded during the administration of Dr. Sunday O. Etukudoh.
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| Administrative Block |
One key outstanding performance and achievement of the administration is the raising of academic bar of the school resulting in the production of high quality graduates. Consequently, graduates of the school have adequately and accurately engaged in diagnosis of diseases which aids clinicians and pathologists in the treatment and management of patients in our clinics and hospitals. This development has equally greatly impacted positively the health delivery services in all the geopolitical zones of the country. The administration is equally making huge progress in area of infrastructural development despite lean resources. It is very important to bring to the knowledge of the public that the contract for the construction of the permanent site at Lamingo was awarded by the Federal Ministry of Health to M/S Mohuma Construction (Nig.) Ltd. in 1983.
The contracts which covered Research Laboratory, Hostel Block, Kitchen/Dining Hall, Administrative Block, Call Duty Quarters, Provost House, Assembly House and Driveway and Parks were later abandoned due to lack of allocation of funds to execute the projects.
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| Library/Classroom block |
However, the insecurity situation in and around the temporary site of the school at old JUTH, Murtala Mohammed way exposed staff and Students to high risks as they became vulnerable and constantly living in fear of attacks. The fear reached its height most especially when JUTH (which the school shared accomodation with) moved to its permanent site at Lamingo. It therefore, became a main target to move the school from its temporary site where it has been since 1978 after its relocation from Lagos. The twin bomb explosions that occured at the popular Terminus Market (besides the fence of the school at old JUTH which killed and injured many people), made the relocation absolutely necessary. More so that the effect of the blast on the school was devastating as its roof, ceilings windows and some of its equipment were destroyed but no Student or staff of the school was affected. It was in the light of the above that the Dr. Etukudoh administration ensured the attainment of reasonable percentage of work of some structures like the admin Block, Library/classroom block for relocation.
As earlier said, the contract for construction of structures at the permanent site was awarded in 1983 at the total sum N1.9 million. The work progressed steadily until it was abandoned in 1985 as a result of nonpayment. In 2001, the cost of classroom/Library Block was revised to N59.03million but only N19million was the capital appropriation for the school that year. The contractor was therefore, paid only N12million. The percentage completion of the block increased from 20 percent to 59 percent.
After the revalidation of contract award to M/S Mohuma Construction Nig. Ltd in 2001, the contractor returned to site. However, this medium learnt that for patriotism, the contractor had to take facilities from Financial Institutions to ensure the progress of work. In this regard, most of the works on buildings have reached roofing stage while some of the structures have been defective both internally and externally. There is also progress on the road network (Driveway and Parking areas) as excavation, compaction and drainage network are being worked upon and progressing.
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| Inner view of the e-Library of the school |
African Drum sought the views of stakeholders and all were of the opinion that the completion of infrastructure at the permanent site will boost the image of the college being the only Federal College of Medical Laboratory Science in the country and West Africa sub-region and equally uplift the morale of staff as there would be enough offices available for them to carry out their schedules of work. Others also submitted that completion of infrastructure would positioned the college well to promote and strengthen the capacity of Medical Laboratory Scientists by exposing them to modern diagnostic techniques through mounting of short courses and also taking part in exchange training programs with accredited training Institutions in the world.
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| A cross section of the Dinning Hall |
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| Mult million naira Laboratory under construction |
Recall that the tremendous achievements recorded by the Etukudoh led administration prompted the Chairman, House of representatives Committee on Health Institutions, Hon. Paschal Chigozie Obi during an oversight function to the school last year, promised to give the necessary support to ensure accurate and timely release of funds for the completion of capital projects in the school. Efforts to speak to Dr. Etukudoh proved abortive.
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