By joshua 
CUSTECH VC Cries Out Over Land Grabbers Threatening 3,000 Ha Campus
The Vice Chancellor of Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Prof. Abdulrahman Asipita Salawu has cried out over the encroachment of the school lands by land grapers.
The Vice Chancellor said the school is already at conflict with the grabbers who are hell bent on taking part of the 3000 hectares of land allocated for the school by the Kogi State government.
Pofessor Salawu stated this on Thursday while speaking ahead of the school’s Convocation ceremony billed for Saturday.
According to him, “One of the most pressing challenges currently facing the anniversary is land encroachment. At establishment, CUSTECH was allocated 400 hectares of land by the State Government. At a crucial time, the government provided funds to fence 100 hectares, for which we remain deeply grateful.
”However, soon after the fenced area was completed, land grabbers began encroaching on the remaining 300 hectares, falsely claiming that the University has fenced portions of their land. Unfortunately, the remaining 300 hectares were deliberately reserved for critical future projects – including the University Farm, the Agricultural Research Center, and areas designated for the University’s expansion. The encroachment on this land, therefore, poses a direct threat to our long-term vision and to the fulfilment of our academic mandate, particularly in agricultural and environmental research.
”The University has had to demolish several illegal structures. In the process, management and staff have faced threats and harrasement from encroachers who have even attempted to disrupt oour academic activities.
”While we continue to protect our boundaries, a permanent solution is now imperative. We therefore, appeal to the Kogi State government, development partners, and well-meaning individuals to assist us in fencing the entire 400 hectares of University land to forestall future encroachment.
”We also appeal to our traditional rulers to call their subjects to order. The government and University management will not fold their arms while public educational land is unlawfully taken over. Let it be known that anyone caught will face the full weight of the law.
”Securing the University’s land is not just about protecting property – it is about safeguarding the future of science, innovation, and human capital development in Kogi State and Nigeria at large.”
The institution also called on private developers to collaborate in the area of hostel provision for students and staff, stressing that the school hostels can only accommodate 1000 out of the 5000 students population, “Our students population has grown far beyond initial projections. At present, only about 15% of our students can be accommodated on campus. The remaining majority rely on nearby communities for lodging, which sometimes exposes them to transportation and security challenges
”As an institution in a developing area, the lack of staff quarters has made it difficult for many academic and administrative staff to live near campus. This affects work convenience and reduces the number of available staff contact hours with students.”
The VC also called on individuals and organizations to contribute to the school Endowment Fund, which provide monetary rewards for outstanding students.
A total of 266 students will be graduating from the five years old institution.
End.