University of Ibadan (UI) Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abel Idowu Olayinka has commended the Senior Staff Housing Committee (SSCH) for its ingenuity in converting an abandoned garage into a one-roomed apartment, housing three singles respectively.
The abandoned garage along Phillipson road was discovered by the SSHC and decided to turn it to a residential house through direct labour.
Prof. Olayinka who thanked the Committee for its creativity said “this will also reduce pressure on the administration as we face enormous demands from our staff members who want to stay campus.
“Many people have inundated me with the request to give them note to the SSHC so that they could be given accommodation on campus. The truth is that the demands outstrip the supply. The houses are not just there. I understand there are over 700 pending applications from our staff who want to live on campus”, the VC said, adding, “whereas if we could provide accommodation for staff, productivity level will increase ”
He stressed, “we shall continue to support the SSHC so as to empower it to construct more houses for the needs of our people”.
Earlier, the SSHC Chairman, Prof. Musiliu Onilude had disclosed that his Committee was under intense pressure from the staff, wondering why many people were anxious to stay on campus.
According to him, “I don’t know why many people are interested in staying on campus. Even those who have built their own houses in town are eager to come and stay on Campus. I have been staying in my house in town over the years, and I am still there. But I just don’t know why people are abandoning their houses in town to come and stay on campus. We are really facing pressure ”
Prof. Onilude hinted that the newly constructed building cost N6. 5million through direct labour.
The building has been allocated.
By Sunday Saanu
