University of The Gambia Students’ Union Minister of Information and Communications Ebrima Mbaye said the problems were disrupting lectures, tests and examinations at the Faraba Banta campus.
Transport difficulties have persisted since the University relocated from the Greater Banjul area about four years ago.
The Ministry of Higher Education, Research, Science and Technology had reportedly committed to providing 20 buses through the Gambia Transport Service Corporation.
However, Mbaye said the full number of buses had never been deployed. “This has left students missing examinations, tests and, in some cases, not going to school on a particular day because the buses provided are not enough,” Mbaye said.
Some students remain on campus until between 20:00 and 21:00 despite lectures ending at 17:00.
The Students’ Union had engaged university management, the Ministry and the transport company for nearly two months before protesting. “Promises were made, but nothing has been solved,” Mbaye said.
The campus canteen has remained closed since the semester began because the University started a bidding process for vendors shortly before students returned.
Mbaye said students were spending entire days on campus without access to food. “The University went on holiday for almost three months, but instead of using that opportunity to complete the bidding process, management waited until students were about to resume,” Mbaye said.
The Students’ Union also approached the University Governing Council, which instructed Vice-Chancellor Professor Herbert Robinson to address student welfare concerns.
Mbaye accused management of failing to act despite the Governing Council’s intervention.
The Union has submitted petitions to the University and the Ministry demanding immediate improvements to transport, water and food services.
Students have given the University one week to provide reliable internet access free of charge. Deadlines were also set for improvements to toilets and lecture rooms used by the School of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences in Banjul.
The Students’ Union plans to inspect the campus and announce further action if the demands are not met.
“We have engaged in dialogue,” Mbaye said. “If the demands are not met, we will communicate our next course of action to students.”
–ChannelAfrica–
