By EHIGIMETOR IGBAUGBA

The University of Cross River (UNICROSS) Alumni association has directed its legal team to institute a legal action to stop the government from further funding of activities and claims of the Governing Council of the institution.

The association announced this in a communique issued at the end of its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Wednesday.

In the communique signed by the National Secretary, Mr Njang Ndoma and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Calabar on Thursday, the association called on Gov. Bassey Out to consider immediate dissolution of the council.

It accused the council of pressurising the finances of the institution by calling for “unnecessary meetings to draw sitting allowances for members at the detriment of staff welfare”.

The alumni called on the governor to reconstitute the council, to bring people who knew the workings of university system.

It further added that for almost four years, the council attracted zero funds and project to the university.

The alumni reaffirmed its support for the efforts of the governor to reposition the institution for better service delivery.

While insisting on the supremacy of the law establishing the university, the body stated that all organs of the institution, including the Governing Council, should respect the laws at all times.

According to the communique, “the council as presently constituted, is incapable, incompetent of doing its work and is not serving the interest of the university.

“Since the inauguration of the council on the June 6, 2020, the council has attracted nothing to the university, rather, has been putting pressure on the finances of the university by calling unnecessary sittings to draw allowances to enrich members”.

It said if reconstituted, the new council “must have capacity to attract funds, projects, and to formulate policies for smooth implementation of the “People’s First Agenda” mantra of the governor for the institution”.

The alumni also called on Out to investigate activities of the council members relating to contract approvals, execution and the resources expended in holding the “unnecessary frequent sittings”. (NAN)

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