UG opens new maintenance facility

The Ministry of Education and the University of Guyana today commissioned a Facilities Maintenance Division building at the University’s Turkeyen campus.

The facility will house some 100 permanent and part-time staff responsible for eight broad areas of maintenance: carpentry, electrical, plumbing, mechanical, estates, grounds, transport, custodial and building.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Minister of Education, Nicolette Henry, emphasised the importance of proper maintenance of the nation’s premier tertiary institution.

“It must be recognised that such a facility will improve the efficiency of campus operations… Maintenance has been long flagged as a sore point in the country’s development. With this building, it is expected that the quality of service provided by the University of Guyana, to its students and staff, will improve to make the working and studying environment more comfortable and accommodating.”

Minister Henry pointed out that rebuilding Guyana’s education facilities and infrastructure is a priority for the administration, noting that as part of the learning experience it is imperative to provide safe, structurally sound modern facilities to staff and students to reach their full potential.

UG’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ivelaw Griffith noted the importance of recognising the economic component of the university.

“The University of Guyana is not only an educational enterprise but also an economic enterprise. and oftentimes persons forget that part of the economic enterprise, that is the maintenance division, sometimes we take for granted those economic components, those things that are behind the scenes and we only appreciate the value when they are not there.

They are more valuable than they imagine.”

The building was completed in June 2018. It is equipped with a conference room and offices with air-conditioning, a kitchenette and washroom facilities.

Source:http://dpi.gov.gy