C’River Govt Takes Investigative Steps Over Alleged Sales Of UNICROSS Assets

By, Promise Imoh

The Cross River State Government has begun a thorough investigation into the alleged sale of assets belonging to the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS).

This is as several appeals from concerned group of stakeholders with claims that some high-ranking officials of the university, including members of the university governing council, are involved in the unauthorized sales of the university assets.

These assets includes, lands, generators, the Student Union Government Buses and other valuables, which were been sold without the knowledge and approval of the university’s governing council nor the State government.

Speaking to journalist on Tuesday at an assessment work round the University, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Asset Recovery and Management,  Gilbert Agbor Ntui revealed that the state government  will examine all aspects of the alleged asset sale, including the identities of the buyers and sellers, the prices paid for the assets, and the procedures followed in the sale process leaving no stone untouched and frowned at the level of mismanagement and corruption levelled against some of the University officials.

He however accentuate that some members of the University’s Governing Council have been accused of failing to provide effective oversight and leadership, leading to a breakdown in the institution’s administrative systems, as well as illegal encroachment on the University lands.

“We are here on-the-spot assessment on what was addressed to the department of Asset Management Recovery. The Governor has directed that we should come and do on-the-spot assessment, and brief him accordingly so that immediate actions will be taken.

“Going around right now everything contained in the petition has been confirmed to be true. There is massive encroachment on Unicross land. In fact, embarrassingly massive and I can assure you that we are going to do everything within the law to recover those lands so that the University can expand further because without that, the university is doomed on expansion.

“We equally have found out that the massive allegations against the previous Council that critical assets of the government were sold off without due process, we can confirm that the allegations are true. Because all the vehicles contained in that petition, the generators, we cannot find them.

“We are going to dig further because, His Excellency is very much interested in solving this litany of problems that have befallen this university.

“As a government and Department, we are giving preliminary instructions for the areas been encroached upon, we are going to stop the place. The main gate which is the assess roads to this building sites where they cannot have materials to feed the projects sites the project will stop naturally, while we will follow due process to evict all the illegal occupants of Unicross lands.”

Gilbert also noted that immediate memo would be directed to the Governor so as to hasten the deployment of perimeter fences and creation of road network in the areas not yet attacked.

“We are going to advise the Governor through a joint memo to immediately ensure we have perimeter fences. In addition to that, they should be road networks in some areas yet to be attacked by land grabbers.

“Whoever is found culpable no matter how highly placed that sold the land we will bring the person to book, you cannot sell what you don’t have. If you don’t own a land you cannot move in and sell it.

“I speak as an activist, you cannot sell government property, in fact as a government we will get to the root of it”. Gilbert noted.

Meanwhile, the Acting Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Fransica Bassey, who was also present at the on-the-spot assessment assured that the University under her watch will continue to collaborate with the state government towards ensuring that the perpetrators are decisively handled.
She also guaranteed that no staff of the University will be spared if found guilty of the allegations.

“Two weeks after I came into office, I visited Muri and his cabinets to talk about the environment, to talk to his people to desist and help us recover the land.

“We need to expand. When this institution was cited many years ago, the population was very low, now we have many students, we need the land to build on as accommodation is a serious burden on us.

“The law does not respect anyone, if we find out that our staff are part of it, it would be very disappointing to know that our staff are part of it. If some staff betrays the confidence of the institution and government then it is left for the government to do whatever they have to do”. Francisca stated.

Also, the Economic Adviser to the Governor, Prof. Peter Oti, censure the encouragement stating that it has seriously affected the economic situation of the state.

“This land grabbing has affected the economic atmosphere of the state and the University and we must ensure we work together in addressing it”. He said