Ogona Anita
Hundreds of students of the University of Jos early Thursday morning staged a peaceful protest over what they described as “deplorable” sanitary conditions in their hostels.
The protest, which began this morning saw students block all major entrances into the university campus, effectively grounding academic and administrative activities.
The students say they will not vacate the gates until the head of the university’s cleaning department provides them with proof that hostel cleaners have been paid.
Hostel cleaners have not been paid for several months, resulting in the suspension of cleaning services.
According to student leaders, the protest was sparked by a worsening sanitation crisis. They allege that hostel cleaners have not been paid for several months, resulting in the suspension of cleaning services. The result, they say, is an environment overflowing with uncollected waste and a soaked soak-away system that has begun seeping into their drinking water supply.
“The hostels are no longer fit for human habitation,” said one of the students who wanted to remain anonymous “The smell is unbearable, the toilets are clogged, and now our drinking water is contaminated. We cannot live like this.”
University authorities have yet to release an official statement on the issue.
The smell is unbearable, the toilets are clogged, and now our drinking water is contaminated
“The students say they’re not moving an inch until they see documented evidence that the cleaners have been paid. They claim it’s the only way to ensure the hostels will be cleaned,”
As of the time of filing this report, no university official had addressed the protesting students.
