Plateau crisis: ASUU calls for reclamation of lands belonging to UNIJOS

Following the recent violence that bedeviled some communities in Plateau State, including the University of Jos community, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) University of Jos Branch, has called for the reclamation of all lands belonging to the institution, which have been encroached upon illegally.

ASUU also called for the release of a takeoff grant, which has not been given to the University since its establishment forty years ago.

The Union lamented that recently, a University, which was established in Adamawa State, was given a takeoff grant of N2 billion, and wondered why University of Jos was yet to receive its own when its contemporaries were given.

This was stated by the Chairperson of the Union, Dr. Maigoro Lazarus, while addressing journalists at the ASUU Secretariat in Jos.

Lazarus said, “We demand the immediate reclamation of all lands belonging to the University of Jos, which have been encroached upon illegally on different fronts.

“Creation of permanent buffer zones around the University to guarantee security of members of the University community.”

The Union also called for the strengthening of the internal security apparatus within the institution for improved efficiency during crisis.

The Chairperson further demanded for the provision of a “Special Intervention Fund” for erecting perimeter fence for the entire land mass belonging to the University of Jos.

ASUU further demanded for the provision of another “Special Intervention Fund” for the construction of more hostels and staff quarters to reduce the number of those living outside the campus.

According him, alternative routes should be created on campus to aid escape to safety during emergencies.

“We appeal to the Federal Government to release immediately, the outstanding take-off grant due to the university since its creation over 40 years ago, to enable her develop needed infrastructures to bring her at par with other second generation universities in the country.

He said in the recent unrest, two students and a staff were killed.

“The security agencies should as a matter of urgency, identify the killers of the students and staff so as to bring them to justice,” Lazarus pleaded.

The Union called on the Federal, State Governments and other philanthropic agencies to come to the aid of staff and students who lost property during the crisis in Jos.

“We call for an immediate end to the grazing of cattle on the campus as it is distracting to academic activities and a cause of anxiety to members of the university community in view of the recent menace posed by herders in the country.

“We also call for a thorough investigation to fish out the uniformed security personnel involved in the killing and maiming of our students during the recent crisis”, he stressed.

“We call on the federal and the state governments to set in motion machinery for implementing the reports of the various investigations into previous crises in the state towards tackling the problem from its roots.”

Lazarus added if the aforementioned demands were considered, it would go a long way in resolving the security challenges facing the institution.