Angola Hall: OAU Students Enjoy Adequate Water Supply After Peaceful Protests

Some students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Osun state, described the Angola Hall of Residence as “an abode of perennial water” due to an unexpected abundance of water following a demonstration a few weeks ago, marking a shift from the hall’s previous struggles with water scarcity.

In April, occupants of the Angola Hall protested the terrible condition of the hostel, shutting the doors, boycotting lectures and demanding that the hall’s water scarcity issues be addressed. The Hall management swiftly responded, installing a new pumping machine in the hall, and also promised to make water available in some other part of the hall, especially between Blocks A and D.

In a survey carried out by our reporter, we discovered that a new tap-water spot has been constructed between Blocks A and B, with four taps running in it.

Also, water is now being pumped into the tanks close to the Africa food canteen, close to Block G of the hall. The water spot at the back of the hall’s common room now has more taps fixed in it, thereby increasing the number of running taps to six. The dam water spot at the back of the hall, the warden’s office, also gets dam water discharged into it daily.

“Water scarcity is no longer a problem in Angola Hall since the day we held a protest against it. The protest birthed the construction of a new water spot, which was built nearly in front of my room. We no longer experience long queues or stabbing lectures as a result of a lack of water. Water is no longer far-fetched in Angola Hall,” a student who participated in the protest said.

Another resident says he’d like to commend the efforts of the hall executives who took the bold step of leading the protest to demand a lasting solution to the problem of water scarcity in the hall. He also acknowledged the hall management for granting their demands and fulfilling their promises. He added that Angola Hall is now somewhat an abode of perennial water, because water is now available close to almost every block in the hall. When there was a power outage for almost 24 hours as a result of the rain, the hall had access to excess water.

A resident of Block B, room 109, recalled previously having bad luck when queuing for water, often missing out due to scarcity. However, with a new pumping machine installed and additional water points, including one right outside his room, he now fetches water at his convenience without worrying about scarcity.

Reacting to these new developments, the Chairman of the Hall of Residence, Kujembola Olalekan, says his motivation to lead the protest to demand a lasting solution stems from his desire to ensure that the occupants have value for their money. He said, “It sounds absurd as to why old residents who paid a token for accommodation enjoy the facilities more than the current residents who now pay a whopping sum of #50,000. I led the protest to serve as a motivation to the administration coming after me, and I thank God it yielded positive results, which is evident in the hall now.”