University of Calabar students express fears over possible collapse of male & female hostels

Many undergraduate students of University of Calabar residing in the male and female hostels have raised the alarm over several cracks on the walls of their hostels.

They expressed fears that as heavy rains persist in parts of the Calabar metropolis, the walls can fall in.

Their concerns were aired on the Unical International Radio phone-in programme, ‘What I Will Do If I Had Power to Run Unical,’ on Thursday evening.

They said halls 8 and 9 in particular are more delicate, maintaining that the dilapidated states of the hostels have remained so for several years.

A female student, who gave her name simply as Jane from Malabor Republic said: “If I have power to be in charge of this school, the first thing I will do will be to embark on massive renovation of the hostels in Malabo Republic.

“There are many major cracks on the walls of hostel halls especially 1, 2, 4, 8, and 9.

“God forbid, these walls can cave in at any time and kill people’s children.

“These daily rains in Calabar can dangerously affect these hostels. I call on the school authorities to make hay while the sunshine.”

Another, a male student from another hostel complained about lack of electricity supply in the hostels.

He said this has allowed unhealthy activities to take place in the hostels.

They advised the students welfare body as well as the students Union government to work towards benefits of the students.

Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Florence Bankong Obi had earlier assured that the state of the hostels had been captured for action.