A Brief Chat with UNEC SUG President, Eze Ekene (Finally) on the state of water supply, transportation and security in UNEC

Still dressed in his school uniforms, with a lab coat in hand, Ekene Eze (Finally) might be mistaken for a student who had just left an examination hall, on the cool evening of Monday, 31st march 2014. I could not by chance ignore the defiance in his eyes as he instructed a water seller about the resolution of the SUG relating to water supply.

"Water supply has become an obsession to me," he began "I have been running around since morning in that regard and I just sent the DVC a text message informing her of the dire need of students relating to the state of water supply."

His efforts bore fruits as we could see students all over the SUG tank fetching water for FREE! It might have sounded impossible but this SUG administration has done it. Ekene also informed the vendors that if they must sell water, then they must sell 25 litre gallons at 20 naira and buckets at 10 naira.

He further stated that "water is an essential commodity which should never even be sold to students. Water is free at Nsukka. Why not here too?"

Security:  The president expressed his concern over the state of security in recent times in the school. In his words, he said:

"If you can remember during my manifesto presentation, a question of security was asked, and I replied that security men should be planted in each series at the hostels. The problem of security is also tied with the problem of ID cards. If we had ID cards, it would be easier to differentiate students from non-students. We need a means to separate the wolves from the sheep, and I am deliberating with the school authorities in that regard."

Transportation: The issue of transportation in the school seems to get only worse, with the introduction of the new policy of two students sitting in the front seat of UNEC shuttle, I asked the president his take on this issue.

Identifying the irony of the situation, the president stated that his administration is hell-bent on changing the price of transportation to 20 naira and it would be at most funny that the shuttle drivers are introducing such a policy. He promised that such policy would be jettisoned as suddenly as it came, and re-affirmed his promise to reduce the price of transportation.

In that regard, he stated:

"We are planning on working with the state government to create a park for Unec  students at Holy Ghost/Ogbete so that our UNEC shuttles can transport us straight to Holy Ghost at a cheaper price than what is attainable with the "Keke" outside. It is not unheard of. We can find it there at Nsukka. UNN shuttles take students straight to the park."

I concluded my chat with the president with a handshake, a handshake so firm that it re-assured me of the competence and character of the president. After the chat, I did not forget to carry my full gallon of FREE water to my room. Once again, I was assured  that there were more free things to come!