Students of the University of Abuja on Thursday locked out the the
Federal Capital Territory, FCT, minister, Senator Bala Mohammed and
other government officials over the refusal of the administration to
procure a school bus for the undergraduates among other demands.The
angry students who barricaded the entrance and exit gates of the FCT
Administration, FCTA Secretariat in Area 11, Garki District, Abuja for
some hours, demanded that the FCTA must purchase a vehicle for their
association immediately to enable them attend their various conventions;
develop the University of Abuja’s Unity Park; solve water supply
challenges at the University of Abuja’s mini campus and furnish the
common room of the NANS Chairman.
Led by the Chairman of the University of Abuja Chapter of the National
Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, Comrade Friday Omadewu Adayi,
the students laid siege on the FCTA Secretariat from 12noon till
yesterday evening, insisting that they would not leave the place unless
the FCTA met their demands.
In order to avoid further crippling of business activities in the area
and to forestall any breakdown of law and order, some leaders of the
students later met with FCT officials led by the FCT Education
Secretary, Alhaji Kabir Usman who promised to look into their demands.
The FCTA held that since the tertiary institution was a federal one,
most of the demands were either untenable or should have been pursued
through the Federal Ministry of Education which administers the
University of Abuja.
The Secretary stated that the students’ request for donation of a
vehicle to the FCT NANS was receiving attention and would be granted if
funds become available, adding that while the FCTA appreciates the right
of the students to request for assistance, it abhors any action taken
to disrupt government activities.
But condemning the protest of the undergraduates, the FCTA noted that it
was wrong for the students to attempt to use force to compel government
to fulfill requests that are not statutory responsibilities of the
FCTA, just as it described the demonstration as embarrassing and
unjustifiable.A statement signed by the the Special Assistant, Media to
the Minister, Nosike Ogbuenyi, who also reacted through a statement he
issued, noted that “The point should be stressed that it is not part of
FCTA’s official responsibility to furnish the NANS Chairman’s common
room at the University of Abuja or to provide internal infrastructure in
Federal universities. Similarly, government action on the kind of
demands made by the students is discretionary and dependent on resource
availability.
“Nonetheless, the FCTA cherishes robust relationship with NANS even
though it frowns at any attempt to hold it to ransom by students over
welfare and logistics demands by individuals or groups.
“The FCTA advises the students to desist from lawless acts like blocking
of gates. However, the Administration will continue to assist students
through its various mechanisms including award of scholarships. It will
equally continue to give logistics support to students’ organizations
such as NANS provided that due process is followed and sufficient notice
given in all cases. While we are doing this, we call on parents to
always watch their children and wards closely by calling them to order
whenever the need arises.
“The FCT Administration through its Water Board has provided potable and
wholesome water to the residents of the Federal Capital Territory
including Gwagwalada township by the recent commissioning of the Lower
Usuma Dam Phases III & IV Water Treatment Plants and therefore it is
the duty of individuals, institutions and corporate organizations to
undertake water reticulation in their areas of abode,” the statement
explained.
source:Daily post
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