An ultramodern integrated learning center worth Sh409 million is set to be built at Ogande Girls Secondary school in Homa Bay County.
Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha, his Interior counterpart Fred Matiang’i and ODM leader Raila Odinga’s wife Ida led a host of leaders from Nyanza region in ground breaking ceremony for the project yesterday.
The project christened Dr Ida Odinga Library, Research, Innovation and Resource Center is geared towards enhancing research and reading culture through modern technology.
Mrs. Odinga said the center which has various components will be open for use by both the school community and members of the public. She said her intention of establishing the centre was to promote research and innovation as well as a reading culture adding that the project will take 18 months to complete.
She said that the centre will have a library that can accommodate 500 users, an amphitheater that can accommodate 1000 people, an ICT hub and a creative center with a recording studio.
On his part Dr Matiang’i applauded Dr. Ida for her passion in improving education standards which led her to come up with the idea of establishing the centre and advised local education stakeholders to start an education fund to be named after Mama Ida Odinga to help needy students in the school to pay fees. “The fund will help poor students who are unable to pay fees and ensure the local economy is uplifted,”Matiangi said.
He pledged to contribute Sh.1Million into the fund to kick-start it and encouraged other leaders to follow suit.
On his part Magoha warned the project managers against misusing the funds and promised that the national government will be channeling Sh10 Million every year for the project. “I will be closely monitoring this project, let me not find anybody misusing the funds,” he said.
He also told the contractor to ensure the project meet the requisite standards and is completed within the timelines.
He also applauded the school saying that it had never been involved in examination cheating.
Homa Bay Governor Mr Cyprian Awiti, his Kisumu counterpart Anyang’ Nyong’o, Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang’, Women Rep Galdys Wanga, area MP Peter Kaluma and his Rangwe counterpart Lilian Gogo graced the occasion.
By Davis Langat.
