By Abdulrasaq kamaldeen
Students of Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, living in Benji hostel have spent over four months_and still counting_ without a trace of electricity supply and water, The News Digest Press can report.
Benji, a private hostel located in the heart of the university, has over 400 rooms with over 1000 students.
One of those occupants is Zulkifli lssa, a 200-level student of Physics.
It was on Monday. After a long sleep, Issa woke up at 7:00am to see the new chummy morning and started preparing for his 8 o’clock lecture.
However, the thought of where to get water to take his bath enveloped him, considering that he was already running out time.
As usual, he grabbed his 25 liter keg and headed to Bakassi hostel_ over one kilometers away from Benji hostel_
to fetch water because he could not afford to buy water anymore.
“Sometimes, I used to fetch water from the well. I feel very uncomfortable, we don’t have anything to do about that, rather the school management can be of any help,” Issa bemoaned.
Issa paid a whooping sum of N60,000 as rent with the hope of living in comfortable condition, but his aspirations were dashed to the wall after spending over one month in the room without a sign of light and water supply.
“And as things are going, we will end this semester without light. I usually use money to charge my phone. Though l sometimes charge my phone in class at night, but l don’t concentrate while charging because my mind will be on that phone.”
We Beg for Water to Perform Ablution
Just like Zulkifli lssa, Abdulsamad Mayowa, a 200-level student of Computer Science is another resident of Benji hostel who has gotten his own fair share of the sad situation.
Mayowa said the last time he saw a gleam of light in his room was before February this year.
“There is no electricity since February, and all pumping machines planted in our compound have been useless due to lack of electricity stability to pump the water.”
“It is hard for us to get water during the prayer time, sometimes we beg for water to perform ablution,” he said.
Also, Jumoke Esuola, a 400-level student of Sociology said she has been struggling to work on her project due to the total absence of electricity in her room.
“It has not been easy for me as a final year student working on my project. There’s no light and water. I usually go to the class at night just because I want to charge to work on my project, and sometimes I spend up to N150 to charge my phone,” she said.
Esuola further stated that the well water she used to bathe is contaminated which reacts on her body system.
“I always use well water to bathe everyday due to the lack of power supply to pump. This sometimes affects my fresh skin because the water is contaminated with germs.”
Abdulganiyu Azeez, a 300- level law student on his own said: “It’s not been easy, honestly. Because I used to buy water to cater for my means of living such as eating,washing clothes and so on.”
As a law student, Abdulganiyu always feels disturbed as he has to frequently iron his shirt, trousers and suit.
“This is where I’m affected too. It has become my culture to take my suits to the ironing center which I’m not financially up to that task. But by virtue of the order made by the faculty of law management,I have no choice.”
“During this season, one needs to take a fan in order to avoid unwanted heat, sometimes I used to go to class to get air from the fan”, he added.
‘We Are Planning to Install Solar Panel For Pumping Water’— Says Benji Caretaker
In an interview with the Caretaker of Benji, Mubarak Binji, disclosed to the News Digest Press that the management of the hostel
currently planning for a way to install solar panels to enable students to have access to water supply.
“Actually we are planning to install solar power that will be pumping water for students very soon.”
He also noted that students are the root problem of the absence of power supply because they refuse to pay the electricity bill.
“Students refuse to pay electricity bills, the absence of electricity in the hostel caused lack of water.”
We are not Aware of the Situation _UDUS Management
Speaking with the Dean of Private hostels, Dr.S.Y Segema, said he is not aware of the condition of the students in Benji hostel.
“I am just hearing this, because I didn’t know this is happening in the private hostel. Actually the CTC didn’t inform me about this situation. l will try as soon as possible to confirm it.”
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Caretaker Committee for Students’ Union, Mohammed Shamshudeen Umar also said that the situation is not known to him.
“As far as I am concerned I have not received any complaint with regard to that.”