The management of Benue State University has resolved to take drastic measures against encroachment on its property, particularly by Mission House International.
Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Tor Iorapuu, disclosed this Friday while addressing journalists behind the Faculty of Sciences, where the encroachment was noticed.
“Over the years, mission House has gradually moved into the space of BSU, to the point that he wants to start sharing a fence with the Faculty of Sciences, as you can see”, the VC lamented.
He stated that the latest incident occurred on Thursday at about 8 pm when the university security operatives noticed unusual movement behind the Faculty of Sciences, only to discover people using touch lights and phones to erect a building.
“We have taken all lawful steps to ensure that this matter is resolved. We were invited by the urban development board to discuss the matter, but Mission House International failed to attend the meeting, which was rescheduled to a later date, and they have gone ahead before the date for the meeting to erect buildings”, he said.
“Mission House International has illegally developed the following structures outside the area marked for them, a large hall, high rise structure of classrooms, a single long ground floor structure, a toilet block and a fenced structure”, he added
The VC stressed that the institution will no longer sit and watch anyone encroach into the land of the institution, adding that successive Vice Chancellors had tried to resolve the matter without positive results.
“I think the proprietor of Mission House International is mischievous and deliberately doing what he’s doing to provoke not only the university but the state government “, the VC maintained.
The General Manager of Benue State Urban Development Board, Mr Ternongo Mede, also explained to newsmen that BSU owns 202 acres of land while Mission House International has 1.7. Mr. Mede stated that although, negotiations have been proposed to address the issue, the recent development was a violation, as a new course of action would be taken to address it.
“We have served Mission House the necessary notices, and we ought to have removed all the illegal structures by now. BSU asked that we come into a dialogue. Four (4) times we called for a meeting which Mission House failed to attend”, he added.
