Students of the University of Nigeria Enugu Campus (UNEC) have protested the next-to-none existence of electricity in the campus.
Campus Portal Nigeria investigation revealed that the school is largely powered by generating sets since the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) hardly supply electricity to the school. It was learnt that lately, the school authorities decided on electricity rationing for the students’ hostels to prevent the generating sets from total break down due to excessive usage. The move resulted in the hotels being powered for only 2 hours in the night.
Last night, the students who felt the 2-hour power supply a day is too little for them to achieve all their electricity needs in a day, protested the erratic power supply.
An eye witness report has it that the protest started from Keneth Dike hall when the students occupants started throwing garbage downstairs in frustration after the customary 7pm – 9pm supply was cut off at 9pm. The protesting students then marched to the popular Manuwa bus stop where students from other hostels joined. The gathering forced the the generator operators to cut off power entirely and ran away for their safety. The protesters moved round the staff quarters, the Dean of Students affairs and DVC’s house. And with no response from anyone in authority, the protest became violent leading to the campus main gate being almost brought down by the angry students.
As at this morning, the presence of heavily armed policemen can be seen around the University campus to forestall possible further protest by the students.
The University of Nigeria (UNN) vice-chancellor, Professor Benjamin Ozumba, has allegedly threatened to shut down the institution if the protest continues.
Stay tuned on www.CampusPortalNG.com for more updates….
