Unijos VC decries land encroachment impeding Infrastructure development

The management of University of Jos has decried the encroachment on its land by unknown persons, which it said had impeded infrastructure development in the institution.

The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Tanko Ishaya, made the appeal on Thursday when he led members of the school’s management and governing council on a courtesy visit to Gov Simon Lalong in Jos.

Lalong solicited the urgent intervention of the government saying the institution has been experiencing alot of challenges in constructing perimeter fencing and establishing a police post as a result of the encroachment.

“We were able to get funding for perimeter fencing but the neighbourhood refuse to allow us work on it.

“We also got funds to build a police post to serve not only UniJos but the community, but individuals came with the ownership of the land titles and threatened to sue some individuals,” he said.

The VC urged the state government to investigate the titles claims of the land issued to the community members and take appropriate action to address the situation.

He added that expansion was required at the permanent site of the school for the establishment of more faculties and other infrastructure, but was confronted with limited space because of development on the land by the community.

The VC appealed to Gov Lalong to convince the property owners in the affected area to relinquish it to the school,who would compensate them appropriately.

Ishaya also invited the governor to the forthcoming school’s convocation saying, that the 33rd/34th combined convocation ceremony would hold from May 11 to 30th.

He said that the investiture of the chancellor of the school and Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Ahmed Nuhu Bamali, would hold during the convocation among other activities.

Yahaya thanked the governor for the infrastructure development in the state especially the construction of the British-American Flyover bridge and dualisation of 1.7km road to Lamingo junction roundabout in Jos.

He however appealed for the road construction to be extended to Farin Gada to help in addressing traffic congestion at the university while also ensuring the safe of students, staff and other commuters in the area.

Responding, Lalong assured the management that the land encroachment would be given speedy attention and redeem outstanding pledges made to the school.

The governor also received the executives of his alumni, the Shendam Old Students Association, led by its President, Mr Bala Gukat.

Gukat said that the visit was to thank Lalong of his contributions to their Alma Mater, Government Secondary School Shendam, and to encourage him to continue with his kind deeds.