Released date: April 19th, 2022

Over the undesirable situation at Brikama Campus in the past days, most especially today, the University of The Gambia Students’ Union wishes to inform the student fraternity that it has taken the unpleasant matter with compelling concerns and since then has been restless to ameliorating the conditions.

At the outset of the semester, the Students’ Union and University Management had both agreed that Brikama stream is the potential challenge in this particular semester and thus deserves unreserved attention and actions. It may please you to note that, just like in Kanifing Campus where extra halls outside campus are rented for lectures, similar approach has been consistently tried in Brikama. Unfortunately, the consistent efforts have continued to be unyielding as availability of similar facilities around Brikama campus remains impossible. This forms part of the recent procurement of chairs amidst an alternate.

Last week, the Gambia College that has offered the University lecture rooms began their examinations. As a result, given the obvious heavy logistics involved in exams, a lot of the UTG assigned classes are used for the college examinations. While we were caught off guard that College had begun examinations, we swiftly engaged Management for a solution. Since then, the Management has been helpful to ensuring that the matter is resolved.

As at today, the Union is pleased to bring to the attention of students that a breakthrough has been reached as far as classroom space is concerned and normal lectures shall resume by tomorrow or day after. The Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic, the representatives of Students’ Union, and the Student Leaders in Brikama have been on the ground whole day. The Gambia College was duly engaged and to that effect a number of 6 classrooms have been allocated to the University.

However, the 6 assigned classes— two blocks at the right hand side upon entry into Bajonkoto— are without chairs. Fortunately, UTG had already procured a total of 360 chairs and today with the help of the students and student leaders in Brikama, chairs are being transported to these classrooms. This is expected to be completed tomorrow. By the same missive, we are pleased to inform you that Management has procured two brand new buses. These buses are set to report to Brikama tomorrow to commence duties (Brikama-Faraba).

It is the position of the Students’ Union and Management alike that the issue at hand is not as pleasing but we are happy that a solution has been paved out. We have received a lot of concerns from students over what they described as unfair treatment. We equally share this view and thus would remain steadfast and resolute to closely working with Management and sub-associations to change the dynamics.

At this juncture, the Students’ Union calls for calm and resolute as it is only through our collective efforts as demonstrated today that we can overcome these impediments. We thank the sub-association leaders who once again proved that they are indeed the operational arms of the Union; the excellent work demonstrated today, like always, is a manifestation of how crucial of an organ they are in the service of students. Similar gratitude is extended to all students for their continued support and patience. We know that the situation is tough, but our efforts to changing it will never cease.

We also wish to thank the University Management and Gambia College for working together to find a common ground in the interest of academia.

A luta continua.

SECRETARIAT

UTG STUDENTS’ UNION