The University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) has raised the alarm over the extensive loss of its original landholding to encroachment, with the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Francisca Bassey, disclosing that over 80 per cent of the University’s land in the affected area had been taken over, as she called for urgent intervention by the Cross River State Government to protect the institution’s remaining land and facilitate its expansion.
Prof. Bassey made the call while receiving the report and survey documentation on the University’s land boundaries from the Surveyor-General of Cross River State, Surv. Patrick Edet Bassey, during a meeting at his office attended by members of the University Management Team.
A major outcome of the engagement was the resolution of the boundary issue involving the University’s Ogoja Campus, following a recent survey exercise conducted by the Surveyor-General and his technical team.
Presenting the outcome of the exercise, the Surveyor-General confirmed that the Ogoja Campus land had been properly delineated and mapped, resulting in the preparation of a new survey plan which he formally presented to the University. He congratulated the Vice Chancellor and the University Management on the development.
The engagement also provided clarification on the University’s land position around its Calabar Campus, with the Surveyor-General drawing from historical records, survey information and an orthophoto presented during the meeting.
The survey findings and historical records showed that a significant portion of UNICROSS’s original landholding had been lost to encroachment over the years. Prof. Bassey disclosed that approximately 80 per cent of the University’s land in the affected area had been taken over, noting that its original landholding extended considerably beyond the area currently occupied by the Calabar South Secretariat.
The Vice Chancellor said the extensive encroachment had severely constrained the University’s ability to undertake the physical expansion required to meet the needs of its growing academic, administrative and residential population.
She explained that the situation had made the protection and efficient utilisation of the University’s remaining land particularly urgent, especially through the development of high-rise structures that would maximise available space.
According to her, the rising cost of constructing high-rise buildings, driven largely by inflation, had further complicated the University’s expansion plans, while TETFund interventions, although critical to the institution’s development, were subject to funding limits that might not adequately cover major high-rise projects at prevailing construction costs.
Prof. Bassey therefore sought greater intervention by the Cross River State Government and other relevant authorities to enable UNICROSS to maximise its limited land through strategic infrastructural development.
She stressed that the challenge was no longer simply about securing land, but ensuring that the University had adequate space to accommodate its future growth as it expands its academic programmes, student population, staff strength and infrastructure.
The Vice Chancellor appealed to the relevant authorities to urgently address the issue of encroachment, protect the remaining University land and explore appropriate measures, including the provision of alternative land, to support UNICROSS’s expansion within the Calabar metropolis.
She noted that additional land was particularly important in view of challenges affecting some existing staff quarters, including flooding, while emphasising the need for modern academic facilities, administrative buildings, staff accommodation and other infrastructure to support the University’s long-term development.
Prof. Bassey urged stakeholders to recognise University land as a critical institutional asset that must be protected for present and future generations, and called on those occupying portions of the institution’s property to desist from further encroachment.
She expressed appreciation to the Surveyor-General and his technical team for their professional efforts in resolving the Ogoja boundary matter and providing greater clarity on the University’s land position in Calabar, describing the new survey documentation as an important basis for improved land administration, physical planning and infrastructural development.
The Vice Chancellor also acknowledged the support and interest of the Governor of Cross River State, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, in the development and repositioning of UNICROSS, noting that the prompt government intervention and response of the Surveyor-General demonstrated the administration’s commitment to addressing issues affecting the University.
She reaffirmed the commitment of the University Management to safeguarding its land assets and working with the Cross River State Government and other stakeholders to secure the land and infrastructure required to meet UNICROSS’s growing academic, administrative and residential needs.
By Kingsley Agim
