Fresh Tension in Niger Delta Varsity over Student Restitution Levy

Fresh Tension in Niger Delta Varsity over Student Restitution Levy

Fresh tension seem to be brewing in the Bayelsa State-owned Niger Delta University (NDU), Wilberforce Island, Amassoma, over a levy imposed on protesting students who allegedly destroyed some property belonging to the school last month.

It was learnt that the institution was shut down in February, following a demonstration by some students, mostly of the Faculty of Engineering, who were advised to withdraw over their failure to pass some courses at their 100 and 200 levels.

However, some ‘bona fide’ students who allegedly participated in the protest, it was learnt, were kicking against the payment of a levy of between N30, 000 and N50, 000 as damages for the school’s property destroyed during the rampage.

The returning students as well as those who were dismissed by the school authority for failing to pass either of Mathematics, Chemistry or Physics in their first two years are riled that the reason for which the protest took place had not been resolved, yet the school was imposing a fine.

Some of them, who did not want their names in print, for fear of victimisation, blamed the senate and the Vice Chancellor, Professor Humphrey Ogoni, for allegedly causing the problem.

They argued that the university management had granted them waivers in their first and second years in the school; allowed them register and pay school fees for between four and five years, wondering why the school suddenly changed its position.

However, THISDAY learnt that the VC was only implementing the regulation in line with the minimum standard set by the National Universities Commission (NUC) which requires students in the faculty to pass the compulsory courses.

“This decision was ill-timed, wicked, anti-student, especially asking them to pay such amount of money which is far more than the cost of the property damaged,’’ a student told journalists yesterday.

Besides, the returning students have also been directed to fill out a 'form of good conduct' to be downloaded from the university’s website and swear to an affidavit in court to be of good behaviour.

Another student, who preferred to remain anonymous, vowed that the school’s activities would be disrupted again this week if their grouses were not resolved.

 ‘’ We will not just go home after spending between four and five years in NDU. We are asking them to withdraw and yet they are asking some of our colleagues who joined us to protest to pay huge amount of money,” he lamented.

Apart from the levies, a statement signed by Prof. Ogoni, the school’s VC, which was made available to journalists, also instructed all returning students to submit a letter of attestation from their parents or guardians, vouching for their good conduct.

"All levels 2, 3 and 5 as well as spill over students of the Faculty of Engineering are directed to provide the sworn affidavits as directed above, and in addition, show evidence of payment of N50. 000 each to the Niger Delta University account.