Augustine University Begins Construction of New Hostel
By Onyeka Kamsi
Augustine University has begun construction of both male and female hostels on campus to aid its fast growing population.
The university envisaged the need for the construction of new hostels due its growing population. Currently there are two hostels designated to both genders Assumption hall (female) and Divine Mercy hall (male). During an interview with Rev FR (Dr.) Emmanuel Ogundele, The Chaplain of the university, he revealed that through his own personal assessment, the available hostels do not meet the needs of students in terms of quality.
He further opined that the initial plan of the university was to adopt the BOT (build, operate, transfer) system but along the line it didn’t work. He then disclosed that Our Lady of Perpetual Help Victoria island Lagos is taking up the project and a full BOT system will be used whereby contractors will be allowed to build and operate their hostels on the schools land, make their profit and after 25 years, ownership will be returned back to the university. Although the new hostels will be ran by the said contractors, it will also run on the rules and regulations of the institution.
Furthermore, the contractors will oversee both electricity and water in the hostels. This will eliminate the issue of water and electricity scarcity. Cameras will be made available by the contactors and this will be used by the school to curb immorality and indiscipline in the hostels. During the interview, Fr. Ogundele disclosed that the hostels will have rooms ranging from one-man rooms to four-man room. He also informed the contractors on the need for a lounge with cameras where parents can meet with their children and relax rather than the current lobby situation.
However, the current construction will take 18-months or less depending on the weather condition. The new hostels have been projected to house about 600 students each. Father Ogundele further assured students that ventilation will not be an issue as adequate research has been done to ensure the space between the old and new hostel is enough to ensure adequate ventilation for students.
