Youths under the aegis of the Concerned Youths for Niger Delta Students (CYNDS) on Thursday called on the management of the Bayelsa State-owned Niger Delta University (NDU), Wilberforce Island, to publish unaudited annual financial reports of the institution, especially various levies imposed on students which amount to N1.5 billion annually.

The group in a statement issued by its chairman, Diepreye Alayefa, blamed the state government, the governing council and the members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) for being insensitive to the plight of the students.

The affected groups, CYNDS said, were not considerate about the interest of the students rather they are fighting for their selfish interests, especially ASUU and members of the Governing Council.

The statement reads: “Inasmuch as we are not taking sides with any of the affected groups, the Governing Council in conjunction with the management team of the university should make public the annual income generated from various levies imposed on the students.

“Our findings reveal that the institution is generating over N1.5 billion annually from various levies imposed on the students. Financial transactions of any institution should not be done in secrecy. That is why we are calling on the relevant authorities in the institution to make public its financial reports.”

The youths called on ASUU to mount same pressure on the state government on the Governing Council for the publication of the institution’s annual income.

The organisation said: “While the ASUU is claiming to be fighting a legitimate battle, its members should have it at the back of their minds that without students, there will not be lecturers.

“Members of the Governing Council are supposed to be an unbiased umpire but the reverse is the case. It is sad to note that instead of fighting for the collective interest of the generality of members of the University community, the Governing Council is being self-centred in its approach.

“Also, the state government has its own share of the blame. Even though, it is spending N500 million monthly on the payment of salaries, it should devise ways of working with relevant authorities and let them see the reality of the situation on ground.

“We were made to know that several meetings had been held but it is not enough on the part of the government to maintain a hard-line posture, as alleged by ASUU.”

The youths, therefore, commended the affected students for not allowing themselves to be used by selfish politicians, even though security reports had it that some politicians in the state are lobbying students to embark on a protest.

They advised that instead of allowing themselves to be used, they should work with relevant authorities at proffering lasting solutions to the lingering crisis.

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