UNICAL students protest ‘poor welfare’

Students of the University of Calabar yesterday embarked on a protest over what they described as poor welfare and lack of amenities on the campus.

They blocked the main entrance of the university as well as other access roads to the institution.

Our correspondent reports that the protest did not only disruptacademicactivities,but affectedvehicularmovementon some major roads.

They accused the outgoing Vice Chancellor, Prof. James Epoke, of refusing to look into what they called decaying infrastructure, insecurity on campus and lack of electricity in their hostels for over two months.

One of the student leaders said: “Do you know that rats come to eat our legs when we are sleep, because everywhere is bushy and there is no electricity. Again, we have not had water for months now and students have to travel long distances to fetch water”.

He alleged that the outgoing VC was not concerned about students’ welfare because his tenurewouldexpirenextmonth.

Chanting anti-Epoke songs, another student from the English and Linguistics department said they had to demonstrate outside the university because “the last time we demonstrated within the school premises, they charged us for damages.”

He claimed that students were tired of what he called the nonchalant attitude of the school leadership.

“The protest is to send him out before his tenure expires next month,” he said.

Reacting, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Epoke, said the students have a right to protest, but assured that the situation would soon be resolved.

“They are students and they have the right to protest. On the issue of electricity; have you had light in your area in the past weeks? And why would the students think they are heroes to enjoy stable electricity and water? You know that it is a general problem,” he said.