The dual issues of incessant power outages and erratic water supply have been the major bane of residing in Nnamdi Azikwe Hall of residence. However, the present state of power and water supply has become more consternating than ever before.
The main reason why we don’t have water and why we use timers for the pump machines is because of the water level.
In an interview with the Hall Chairman, Mr. Moriselade (Morriz), he shed more light on the situation and steps being taken to right the wrongs and restore normalcy to the hall. He had this to say “We’ve had so many problems during the break, some were on mostly light issues, sometimes the hall will not have light for like about three days and maybe four days and we have reached out to the dean of students to help us get to the end of it. We have also been trying to curtail some theft cases and rooting out illegal occupants”.
Speaking further on the case of electricity, he said “the issue is a bit complicated, so about two weeks ago we didn’t have light, we were able to reach the maintenance after persistent calls. They even stopped picking my calls at some point and my vice’s calls also”. He also talked ZHPO through how he, his Vice, and other hall dignitaries went to complain physically at the maintenance station.
They were told that the hall will be without electricity due to a problem with the point of connection at Idia hall. It will be recalled that at a point, Idia hall developed internal power supply issues too. Zik hall’s electricity was later rerouted and connected to Tafawa Balewa temporarily. He said they tried to make the move permanent but their pleas were rebuffed.
He also talked about the water issue affecting the hall where he explained the reason for the disparity between the level of water supply in Zik hall and Indy hall. He said, “about the water issue, Indy hall has a lot more water than Zik has. The water level at Indy is higher than the one at Zik hall, we have a lot of boreholes and tanks but when we don’t have water to fill them there is nothing you can do. The main reason why we don’t have water and why we use timers for the pump machines is because of the water level. If we leave the pump machines on for too long they will pump beyond the water level and start taking in air and mud which could make damage it in no time. This is why we use a timer so that after pumping for a while it can pause for a while before coming on again.”
It is pertinent to mention that a few weeks ago, there were back and forth on a Zik hall WhatsApp group on the influence of Zikites occupying exco positions in the SU in resolving the power challenges the hall is facing. Particularly, Hon. Jesugbemi, House Secretary of the Student union, and a member of the hall, was roped in. In a chat with him, Hon. Jesugbemi provided more insight into the issue. He said, “firstly I will like to share insights into what caused the erratic power supply that has affected U.I. recently. Basically, there are two to three reasons. First, we have local faults. U.I has started embarking on repairing faulty wires and, if you have noticed they have been doing some digging recently, like digging the ground, getting out wires, and replacing them. Secondly, U.I. doesn’t generate power itself. The maintenance depends on some people to get power, so when there is no supply from power distribution company, we don’t get power. Thirdly, we have three generators that can power the whole school, but there has been the problem of funding to keep them operative.”
Hon. Jesugbemi also shed light on the cause of slow power supply to halls that are not in the ‘school area’ including, Zik, Indy, Idia, and Awo hall, who get power very late. He stated that it had been occurring for years, stating that they have had meetings with the V.C and the school management to resolve this enduring situation. He further stated they are hoping things get better in the future.
Proposing solutions to tackle the problems of electricity in the school, Hon, Jesugbemi advised that the school management should start generating its electricity. Secondly, the school should fix the old method of switching on the electricity in batches which results in untimely power supply to some halls. Thirdly, there should be a change in the way the maintenance team switch on the electricity by having them man positions in the respective halls instead of driving around to switch on electricity in every hall, that should help a lot in softening the electricity problem facing the school.
It is hoped that with the moves taken by the management and team of student union leaders one would hope that there would be a lasting solution to this problem and make life easier for students during their stay on campus.
Sailor
