From Joseph Asegba, Yola
The students of Adamawa State Polytechnic went on a peaceful protest over power failure and water scarcity.
The state polytechnic is situated on one of the major streets of the capital at Aminu Galadima Way, where students were carrying sticks and green leaves, also complained of lack of access to the management to lay their complaints.
The students took over the front of the main gate of the polytechnic which lies by the major road linking Jimeta, headquarters of Yola North LGA, with Yola 5own, headquarters of Yola South LGA.
Some students who decided to comment on the condition of anonymity indicated that although electricity and water constituted the immediate cause of the protest, there were other issues.
They have almost zero relationship with management as there is no Student Union Government (SUG) and so no student representatives to talk on behalf of them.
Also besides the lack of power and water, which made life on campus difficult, the hostels are poorly furnished with insufficient fans and toilet facilities.
Speaking to journalists, the Rector of the institution, Prof Mohammed Toungos, blamed the situation on the high cost of energy, adding that the cost of both electricity and diesel have gone beyond the roof.
Toungos noted that Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC) worsened the situation about a week ago by coming up with a bill and asking the management for a prompt payment due to scarce resources, the management solicited the understanding of the company to make part payment which YEDC refused to honour and went ahead to disconnect power, he said.
Therefore, considering the importance of water, the management bought diesel to power the college borehole while mobilizing funds to pay the bill, but the water got exhausted over the weekend, which sparked the protest.
Toungo noted that the management has already sourced funds and has effected the payment,, and light has been restored to the satisfaction of the student,s, and all is peaceful now.