By Osahon Osahon
Hundreds of angry students of the University Of Benin (UNIBEN) on Tuesday blocked the main gates of the Ugbowo campus of the institution, protesting alleged incessant charges for late payment of school fee.
The protest caused a heavy traffic gridlock along the ever-busy Benin-Lagos highway in the ancient city of Benin.
Motorists, especially those traveling to Lagos and other destinations, are being held on the traffic running several hours already.
It was gathered that the students were first charged additional N14,000 to their regular school fees, and an additional N6,000 within a short notice.
The extra charges demanded by the University’s management is allegedly for late payment of school fees.
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It was further learned that students who were yet to pay their school fees within the stipulated time will either pay the extra charges or lose their admission.
The students however noted that the increment is coming just one week after their resumption, whereas, late payment of school fees is supposed to commence in the 2nd semester and not the 1st semester.
They further argued that some 100 level students have nor even been cleared, meaning that they will not be able to pay their school fees until after clearance.
Some of the students who spoke to journalists, alleged that while they were yet to cough out the first increment of N14,000, the school authority added another N6,000 to it.
It was however gathered that the management of the University had earlier announced that students who did not pay school fees within the stipulated time will have to pay extra charges or may likely have their studentship withdrawn.
As at the time of filing this report, the University’s image maker, Dr. Benedicta Ehanire could not be reached on her mobile phone.
