From Diana Okon-Effiong, CalabarThe Calabar Zone of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has condemned in very strong terms the demolition of University of Benin (UNIBEN) staff quarters by the Edo State government.
In a statement issued in Calabar, the union described the state government’s action as ‘shocking and highly condemnable.’
In the statement, jointly signed by the Zonal Coordinator of the union, Dr. Nsing Ogar and Dr. Tony Eyang (UNICAL); Dr. Aniekan Brown (UNIYO); Dr. Stephen Ochang (CRUTECH); Dr. Ime Okop (Akwa Ibom State University) as well as Arch. Ochi Ejimofor (Abia State University) Branch chairmen in the zone, the ASUU leaders expressed fears that the demolition of the UNIBEN staff quarters ‘is capable of triggering serious unrest in Edo State.’
The union noted that the Edo State government flouted a subsisting court order restraining the state from encroaching on the land, noting that the state governor ‘must be reminded of the consequence of taking laws into his hands as he is presently doing in UNIBEN.’
They expressed regrets that many academic staff in the university are now homeless following the demolition of the residential quarters by the state government an act they described as not only regrettable, but portends grave danger to UNIBEN community.
The ASUU zonal leaders recalled that while the dust raised by the ‘first wave of demolition’ was yet to settle, the state government embarked on another round of demolition ‘causing further distress and sufferings to lecturers occupying the property.’
The union called on President Mohammadu Buhari and the Minister of Education to urgently wade into the matter and call the Edo State government to order.
They advised the Edo State government against further demolition of property belonging to the university and also ensure that no portion of land belonging to UNIBEN was illegally seized.
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