Stay Off Our New Library Complex – Unical Cautions Students, Public
BY UBON EKANEM, CALABAR – Concerned by observable structural defects in its New Library building, the University of Calabar (Unical) authorities have cautioned students, members of the institution’s family and the public to stay away from the complex for now.
In raising the safety alarm, a statement issued by the University’s Registrar, Mr Gabriel Egbe advised academic and non-academic staff as well as visitors to stay off the Complex vicinity for safety reasons.
The directives on immediate evacuation of the Complex, Forefront News reliably gathered, is related to the recent crackles heard within the facility that left some unexplainable marks on the building.
Insiders hinted that a loud sound occurred in the facility on Wednesday, 5th July 2023, and authorities have stepped up efforts at investigating the cause of that sudden booming.
The statement conveying the authorities’ order on immediate evacuation of the complex read thus: “Following report of an explosive sound that rocked the University of Calabar Main Library building and the resultant effect of a crack in the building, the Vice Chancellor has directed an urgent and total evacuation from the building.
“Accordingly, staff and students are hereby directed to keep away from the University Library building henceforth. The Chief Security Officer and the University Librarian are to ensure the total evacuation of staff, students, and all University properties out of the building with immediate effect.
“The Chief Security Officer is to seal up the building and ensure the security of any other University property that may be left behind.”
Our Correspondent observed that security has already been beefed up around the Library complex located off the main campus and adjacent to the University’s International Conference Centre.
Sources confirmed that the measure was taken to ensure that miscreants and other criminal elements do not take advantage of the current situation and turn the evacuated edifice into their temporary hideout given the high rate of criminalities around the institution and it’s surrounding environment.
Speaking on the development, a top member of the University management, who preferred anonymity for some reasons, volunteered that for now, the noticeable defects in the building are cracks on walls and floors, adding “But we cannot readily classified whether they are ‘minor’ or ‘major’ defects.
