In a bid to tackle lingering challenges at the Rivers State University (RSU) Emohua satellite campus, the Chairman of Emohua Local Government Area, Sir Chidi Lloyd, has announced the launch of campus shuttle buses, construction of new hostels, immediate restoration of electricity, and standardization of accommodation costs in surrounding communities.
Speaking during an interactive session with students, lecturers, and management staff at the campus on Monday 1 December, Dr. Lloyd condemned the recent attack on RSU students living off-campus, disclosing that two suspects have been arrested and will be arraigned in court immediately while investigations continue to fish out accomplices.
“We cannot afford to lose this campus to criminals,” Dr. Lloyd declared, warning that the attackers’ ultimate aim was to force a shutdown that would enable them loot university property.
He urged the university management to resist any temptation to close the campus, describing the institution as critical to Emohua’s socio-economic transformation.
To ease transportation difficulties, the council chairman revealed that dedicated shuttle buses will commence operations at the start of the next academic session. A modern motor park and shopping centre will also be built on council land opposite the campus.
On accommodation, Dr. Lloyd promised collaboration with RSU management to renovate abandoned structures and construct new hostels on campus, making off-campus living a matter of choice rather than necessity.
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He further directed the documentation of all off-campus students and their landlords for security purposes and pledged to engage community landlords to curb exorbitant rents.
The Council Chairman said Electricity restoration across the campus and host communities has already commenced with new transformers being deployed.
The Head of Campus, Prof. Hamilton Donald, praised Dr. Lloyd’s proactive leadership and dismissed rumours of an impending shutdown of the Emohua campus, describing it as the closest and most strategic satellite facility to Port Harcourt.
The council chairman later inspected damaged electrical installations in nearby communities and visited the arrested suspects at the Anti-Cultism Unit of the Nigeria Police.
