Students of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) have protested over lack of electricity and water supply.
The students, in the early hours of Tuesday took to the hostel halls at the Malabor Republic, chanting solidarity songs to express their displeasure and frustration over lack of electricity and water.
Addressing the angry students, the Governor General of Malabor Republic, Sen. Livinson Arikpo, and the Spiritual Head of Malabor, simply known as Mathias, said they shared in their (students) challenges and concerns.
Arikpo said:“We understand the difficulties you are facing, and I assure you that we are working tirelessly to resolve the issues.”
He urged the protesters to remain calm and peaceful, assuring them that their grievances would be promptly addressed.
“We feel your pain, and we are committed to finding a lasting solution to these challenges,” Matthias said.
The protesters, however, demanded a specific timeline for the restoration of amenities, vowing to continue their agitation until their demands are met.
The Malabor Republic has been plagued by infrastructure challenges in recent times, with residents lamenting the lack of basic services.
The institution’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Eyo Eyo, said the Vice Chancellor, Prof Florence Obi, has addressed the protesting students, and promised to urgently resolve the issues.
“t was a couple of students who have issue with water; they came out this morning and said they have not gotten water for two days. Apart from the water, there is this outage issue as well. The Port Harcourt Electricity Distribution Company (PHED) stationed very close to us here has an issue, that’s what is affecting the university and even the entire area. I think it’s a feeder issue; so there is no power on that particular feeder supply this area.
“The VC came out and addressed them. She said the management will provide generator for them to pump water for the time being. So the issue has been resolved and the students have gone back to their hostels,” the PRO added.