The Students Union Government, through it’s P.R.O, ‘The Students’ Mouthpiece’, Comr. Afolabi Olabiyi has given an update on the current status of the #ENDHOSTELHIKE struggle. The movement, which came to light a few days ago, has garnered attention from the school community and general public.
Campus Journalists reported earlier today that the students of UNIBEN who reside off-campus have turned victims of astronomical increase in House Rents and fees imposed on them by Landlords and Caretakers.
The school management, in collaboration with the SUG took up the case and paid a visit to the Odionwere of Ekosodin community and other stakeholders as regards the hike.
Comr. Afolabi in a communique made available to Campus Journalists, made the following remarks;
“Hike in the prices of hostel accommodation has been a brouhaha that has been giving the average University of Benin off-campus resident students sleepless nights. It is no more news that caretakers and landlords in some off-campus hostels in areas like Ekosodin, BDPA are giving student-residents quit notices prior to them inflating the prices of the hostels they lord over.
“Prior to this time, the Attorney General of the Students’ Union, Comr. Ekene Aninze has emphasized on the need for students to know their legal rights as regards tenancy and how he intends to enforce those rights.
“The Vice Chancellor has delegated a team which comprises of the Students’ Union, Dean of Students, the CSO and other top Professors to help in profer solution to these problems facing the students.
“Today, Ekosodin community welcomed the Delegation on hostel hike, as the team which comprises if the Students Union met the Odionwere of the Ekosodin community and other stakeholders as regards the hike.
“The Odionwere welcomed the Delegation and extended a cooperative hands in making sure that students are no more victimized with inflation in hostel accommodation.
“To make sure that this holds ground, the leadership of the Ekosodin community has requested the details of every hostel which has been increased in recent times.
“To help the Students’ Union Government in compliling a comprehensive list which will be submitted in order to tackle this, every student- resident whose hostel has been increased recently should send the name of the hostel, the initial price being paid, the current price and the phone number of the landlord/caretaker of such hostel to the SUG PRO (08022941573) or SUG Director of Welfare (08102601814) on WhatsApp.
It was also stated in his words that “the Odionwere promised to call for a Town hall meeting which will comprise of all Landlords, Caretakers and Agents in order to bring an end to this inhumane inflation once and for all.
“Together, you can help us to help you and we will tackle this issue together.”, he said.