Tina Amanda
Students of Rivers State College of Health Sciences and Management Technology have protested the neglect of their institution leading to the deplorable state of Campus facilities.
The Students’ peaceful protest on campus on Monday led to the shutting down of activities and lectures for the day.
President of the Student Union Government, Comrade Igwe Nlenya, who spoke to our correspondent said they took the decision to protest the lack of hostel infrastructure such as, poor toilet facilities, constant power outage, bad drainage system and the absence of potable water supply.
He noted that the Campus Environment is no longer conducive for Students to learn and live, as everywhere is polluted.
“We had a peaceful demonstration as a result of management negligence on student right. The hostels are in very bad shape, we do not have toilets as students, most students defecate inside nylon bags and still throw them away around the hostel premises.
“The condition is so bad that students are no more comfortable in the campus premises. For about three days, we have had power outage in the campus, no source of water supply.
“We have been engaging the School Management in dialogue, they failed to dialogue with us, we have written letters to the school authority and the state government. On 4th August 2020, as a Union, we approached the school authority to remind them to put the infrastructures in place, they played deaf ears.
“A rail that fell off from the hostel area have not been fixed. Are they waiting till a student falls off the stairs and die?.
“The drainage system is bad. Whenever it rains, students swim through water to get to their classrooms, and this is endangering their health by stepping into polluted water”
He, however, appealed to Governor Nyesom Wike to come to their aid, as the Students are facing untold challenges on campus.
“We are appealing to Governor Nyesom Wike because he is a man that loves education and he has demonstrated his love for education on countless times. We are pleading with him to come to our aid, we are suffering. Imagine a college of health where there is no symbol of health or proper infrastructures on the campus.
“The college is the first established institution in Rivers State, yet it is in a bad shape. The college has lost its accreditation which makes it difficult for students to graduate and be able to fix themselves in the right places.
“This college which now has a polytechnic status is nothing to write home about, for the lack of adequate infrastructure and proper maintenance”
When contacted, the management of the Institution declined to comment on the matter, saying they will meet with the Students within the week to address their demands.
