See why Otuoke varsity landlords are evicting students from their houses

Anger rose yesterday, at the Federal University, Otuoke in Bayelsa State as students of the institution were evicted from their hostels by the landlords.Checks indicated that the landlords took the drastic step over unpaid N24 million, which was the rent for two years.The 52-bedroom hostel facility, known as the Oniebum Hostel and located few metres away from the country home of President Goodluck Jonathan, was allocated to the students by the state government in 2014 under a tenancy agreement and handed to the institution during a ceremony presided over by the Secretary to the state government, Professor Edmund Allison-Oguru.

The state government had agreed to pay the rent as part of its intervention policy to assist the university, which was newly created. The eviction letter, which was issued by Stream Solicitors and signed by R.E. Ndiomu, on behalf of the solicitors, stated that the owners of the property ran out of patience after several unfulfilled promises to pay the outstanding rent.

“We, the landlords of the 52-bedroom apartment at Oneibum, Otuoke road, Otuoke, give you notice to quit and deliver possession of the aforementioned property with its appurtenances which you hold as a tenant on or before the expiration of seven days upon the receipt of this notice, for failure of the Bayelsa State Government through the office of the Secretary to the State Government, Bayelsa State to pay the balance of N24 million as rent accruable.”

“We have been patiently waiting for the balance sum since last year but have been frustrated by the lack of commitment, which the Bayelsa State government has shown despite several attempts to get the state government to adhere to its promise as we have kept our part of the bargain, hence, the notice.”

We regret this notice, however, failure to adhere to this notice, we shall enter into possession without recourse to you or the Bayelsa State government.”

The Dean of Students Affairs, Dr. Marcellina Offoha supervised the orderly removal of students’ belongings from the hostel facility.

She, however, disclosed that the school authorities had been pleading with the landlord and expressed optimism that the issue would be resolved amicably by all the parties concerned.

“The place is under lock and key. Both the students and the school authority are in dilemma. But let me assure you that the school authorities, the state government and the landlord will settle the issue amicably in the shortest time possible”

“We have come and we have to begged him, we are on our knees; he is a kind person and he has allow us to take at least something that will calm the students where ever they are, while discussion with the school and the government continue.”