Worried by the rising incidences of insecurity across the country and wastages of taxpayers money, Comrade Akinteye Babatunde, President of the Senate, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), has called on the management of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to either complete all abandoned projects that dotted the campuses of institutions in their areas of operation or evacuate such immediately.
NANS calls for immediate action on the various unfinished NNDC projects, saying they constituted security threats and dangers to students and workers in affected schools, reports Daily Independent.
The association listed host institutions of such NDDC projects including OAUSTECH, FUTA, AAUA, Delta State University, Ambrose Ali University, Rivers State University and Abia State University, among others.
According to Comrade Akinteye, the unfinished projects have become host to lots of pressing issues that demand the urgent attention of authorities and the public, the various schemes initiated by the NDDC were meant to enhance the infrastructure of these institutions.
He lamented, “However, these projects, which were expected to be completed within a reasonable timeframe, have languished in a state of abandonment, creating unintended consequences with severe implications for student safety.
“The NDDC’s well-intentioned efforts to contribute to the growth and development of Nigeria through student constituency have taken an unforeseen turn. Buildings that should have been bustling centres of education and progress have become stagnant structures, serving as hideouts for criminals and posing significant security threats to the student community.
“What was initially a promise of development has now become a lingering issue as these structures, intended to be completed within a year or a year and a half, have now stood incomplete for an extended period. The lack of progress has allowed these buildings to become overgrown and inhospitable, creating an environment conducive to criminal activities.
“The most alarming consequence of these abandoned projects is the unintentional role they have taken in providing shelter for criminals.
“Student leaders have observed and reported instances where these incomplete and bushy structures have become covering spots for criminals and bandits, posing a direct threat to the safety and well-being of our fellow students.
“As concerned Nigeria student leaders who prioritize the safety and security of our members, we issue a stern warning for immediate action.
“We call upon the Niger Delta Development Commission to promptly evacuate these abandoned buildings from our institutions. We emphasize that the presence of these structures on campuses is becoming a significant security risk, and this matter cannot be left unaddressed any longer.
“Failure to comply with this urgent demand will not be taken lightly. We warn that the Nigerian student community will not remain passive if these structures are not evacuated immediately. Any future incidents of insecurity affecting our students, both on and off campus, will be squarely placed at the doorstep of the NDDC. We will hold the commission responsible for the potential dangers posed by these incomplete and bushy buildings.”
NANS called on the NDDC management to recognize the urgency of this situation and take immediate steps to rectify it, saying the safety of their colleagues is paramount.
