Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic Zaria host community of Magume in Zaria have decried land encroachment of over 84 plots by some alleged government officials.
The community who were initially relocated by government from their lands to pave way for the establishment of the polytechnic years back expressed concern over the recent encroachment.
The Spokesman of the Magume community, Mallam Mohammed Awwal Magume said “these lands belongs to our forefathers who were moved to Magume area in compensation to the development of the educational institution.
“Therefore if our elders can make sacrifice of their houses and homes and moved to a virgin land, i see no reason why government or anybody could allocate same lands to individuals who are not even indigine of the area.
“After all how could anyone contemplate encroaching into a land within the premises of an academic environment to erect residential houses.
“We learnt that it was some government officials that were allocating the land to privileged individuals in the name of Kaduna state Governor, Mallam Uba Sani
“But we still find it difficult to agree that the directive is coming from the executive Governor, looking at his onerous effort to reducing the cost of tuition fees in the polytechnic, which was widely applauded by parents.” He pointed out.
Also commenting, Comrade Usman Shehu Suleiman, Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic, ASUP NUBA chapter confirmed the encroachment and expressed displeasure on the move.
He wondered how land belonging to academic Institution could be allocated to individuals within the perimeter of the school.
“The encroached land was initially set aside for the construction of Staff school in the polytechnic.However due to the closeness of a Tuberculosis centre directly outside the premises, the school shelved its plan.
“But the Polytechnic had continue to maintain the land for further expansion and other structural development.” He said.
The Chairman stated that necessary steps would be taken by the union to avert such move, stressing that ASUP will not fold its arms and watch the illegal intrusion and encroachment.
He said the union will find a way of reaching the State Governor to explain the situation on ground with a view to stopping the move.
Comrade Mahmud Aliyu Kwarbai, Chairman, Non Academic Staff Union, NASU, NUBA Zaria branch concurred with the academic union stance of exploring all available avenue to put a halt to the illegal encroachment.
“This illegal action is totally unacceptable and would be resisted by the two unions.” He said.
Kwarbai expressed worry that those plots of lands were allocated directly opposite staff quarters of the Institute and wondered how lands could be carved out within the perimeters of an academic environment for personal use.
He urges Kaduna state Governor, Senator Uba Sani to urgently prevail on the officials engaged in the act.
