Hundreds of returning male students of Federal University, Otuoke, in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State were, Sunday, stranded as they were shut out of their hostels by the landlord over alleged inability of the school and state government to pay N24 million, being two years rent.
When Vanguard visited the 52-bedroom apartment, which housed more than half of the institution’s male population yesterday, it was bereft of normal student activities.
However, Dean of Student Life, Dr. Marcellina Offoha, and the porter were packing out students’ property as the landlord stood by, waiting to put a lock on the gate.
Landlord’s Letter
The landlord, who brandished a letter signed R. E. Ndiomu, on behalf of Yenagoa-based Stream Solicitors, said he was tired of the antics of the state government, which had failed to honour the agreement to pay him annually for the apartment.
He said he had made several efforts to get the issue resolved amicably, but lamented that all his efforts were thwarted by Bayelsa State government, who is the tenant and the school authorities, who occupied the apartment.
He said: “I am evicting the university. They are my tenants and they are owing due to the negligence from the state government. They are owing me for two years. I have given them quit notice and I hope they are quitting.
“I have spoken to the state government; I have had meetings with the Secretary to the State Government and with the Permanent Secretary.
“I have had meetings with the Vice Chancellor and the school Registrar; all to no avail.
“They said there was no fund from the state government because it was Bayelsa State government that we have the tenancy agreement with and the state government bequeathed the property to the university.
“But whichever way, we have an agreement to be paid, which has not been done.”
The quit notice
The quit notice read: “We, the landlords of the 52 bedroom apartments at Onuegbum, Otuoke Road, Otuoke, give you notice to quit and deliver possession of the aforementioned property with its appurtenances, which you hold as a tenant or on before the expiration of seven days upon the receipts of this notice, for failure of the Bayelsa State government, through the office of the Secretary to the State Government, Bayelsa State, to pay the balance of 24 million naira as rent accruable.
“We have been patiently waiting for the balance sum since last year, but have been frustrated by the lack of commitment which the Bayelsa State government has shown despite several attempts to get the state government to adhere to its promise as we have kept our part of the bargain, hence the notice.
“We regret this notice. But failure to adhere to this notice, we shall enter into possession without recourse to you or Bayelsa State government.”
The Vice Chancellor, Chief Legal Adviser to the university, and Secretary to the State government, were copied and claimed receipt of the letter on March 10.
Dr. Offoha said: “We have come to beg him; we are on our knees.
“He is a kind person and has allowed us to take at least something that will calm the students wherever they are, while discussion with the school and the government continue.”
Meanwhile, the students have been provided with temporary accommodation.
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