Bayero University Kano (BUK) has rolled out palliative measures for staff and students to cushion the current difficulties faced by Nigerians following the removal of fuel subsidy in the country.
This was disclosed by the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Sagir Adamu-Abbas, during the University’s 56th Congregation meeting on Saturday.
The vice chancellor said that the University Cooperatives Committee had been given millions of Naira to purchase food and distribute it to staff on a non-interest basis over a six-month period.
The VC also noted that the University administration has established an agreement with the BUK Microfinance Bank to provide employees with a non-interest loan to pay for their children’s school tuition.
While ensuring that the University would bear the burden of interest, the vice chancellor stated that the gesture would mitigate the impact of the registration fee increase.
The Vice Chancellor also stated that staff may access the soft loan at any time and that it would be rotating so that those who were experiencing financial difficulties could have money whenever they wanted.
Concerning transportation, the vice chancellor stated that an agreement had been reached with the Kano State government to provide buses as palliative that would carry students from defined locations to university campuses and back at cheap rates.
“Once finalized, Kanawa buses would start passing through the routes of BUK campuses,” he said.
“Vehicles would be allocated to transport staff to and from the university. Specific times would be allotted for staff. This would address many challenges,” he added.
The VC stated that the institution was negotiating the purchase of bicycles for junior employees to help them offset the effect of the increase in the cost of transportation.
To further reduce the effect of subsidy removal, he stated the waiver of 8 months house rent for staff occupying the university’s houses as palliative.
He said those who paid during this period would be refunded.
