July 01, (THEWILL) – The Aliko Dangote University of Science and Technology (ADUSTECH), Wudil, Kano State, is operating under precarious circumstances following the disconnection of the institution’s electricity supply by the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO).
KEDCO disconnected the university about a week ago for its inability to settle its accumulated bill of over N248 million, throwing the institution into darkness and disrupting its services.
Narrating the situation to newsmen on Monday, the Dean of Students’ Affairs of the university, Prof. Abdulkadir Dambazau, said efforts to convince KEDCO to reconnect the institution back to the National Grid proved abortive as the company insisted on the settlement of the bill.
Such efforts, Dambazau said, included the payment of N20 million, which according to him, was the university’s enhanced monthly subvention from the State Government.
With its population of 28,000 people, he said the university is groaning under so many difficulties in running its services, including academics and water supply.
He noted that electricity is critical to the operations of the institution in view of its nature as a University of Science and Technology.
The Dean said the situation might worsen when students of the university fully return from their end-of-semester break.
He said the university also embarked on a local load shedding, knocking off certain areas of the campus in order to reduce the electricity consumption level, but that the monthly bill slightly dropped to a little over N50 million.
He said the situation compelled the university to write to the State Government to intervene and bail it out of the predicament, adding that the request is under government’s consideration.
Prof. Dambazau noted that there are three options now left for the university in the circumstances – the State Government to bail it out of the situation, students to bear the burden or the management close down the institution.
About the Author
Abdullahi Yusuf is a seasoned journalist, communicator and was previously the Deputy Editor-In-Chief and Zonal Manager, News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, Jos, where he retired on December 15, 2021
