The Management of the Federal University Dutse (FUD), Jigawa, says it has initiated sound policies and programmes to facilitate provision of decent accommodation to about 50 per cent of the student population.
Alhaji Abdullahi Yahaya, the Chief Information Officer of the university, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Dutse.
Yahaya said the measure was part of a comprehensive programme designed to upgrade hostel facilities to address accommodation problem in the institution.
“The construction of a female hostel is part of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Abdulkarim Sabo’s overall plan to ensure that, at least 50 per cent of the students are accommodated on campus.
“The university is planning to construct a 100-bed capacity hostel for female students, the management decided to start with the female hostel because of their vulnerability,” he said.
According to him, the university will soon unveil plans to construct mega students’ hostels, as accommodating students on campus is part of the provisions of a conducive atmosphere for teaching and learning.
“One of the first things that the VC did on assumption of duty was to inspect the students’ hostels and ordered for its renovation.
“A new laundry and kitchen are constructed while the existing ones upgraded,” he said.
The Spokesman said the university was charging N20,000 per bed-space per annum.
A cross section of the students, who spoke to NAN, said they preferred to stay on the campus than to rent accomodation outside in view of its cumbersome nature.
A Level 500 student in the Department of Agriculture, who spoke on condition of anonymity, alleged that the management of the university allocated bed-space to six persons in a room designed for four students.
He said each of the six students paid N20,000 per bed-space.
The student, however, expressed delight over the uninterrupted water and power supply at the hostels.
Another student, Abbas Daudu, who corroborated earlier opinion, said he preferred to stay on the campus inspite of the overcrowded rooms.
“It is cheaper to secure accommodation on the campus than off campus. Accommodation off campus costs a lot of money,” he said.
NAN checks in Dutse metropolis showed that a single room costs between N30,000 and N60,000, depending on the standard and location of the building.
At Gida Dubu; G9 Quarters, Takur Aduwa, and many other areas of the metropolis, a self contained apartment costs between N50,000 and N60,000.
NAN also reports some of the rented houses lack adequate provision of water and toilet facilities, a trend which exposed the students to health risks.
