By Roland Ike

The Management of Ebonyi State University Abakaliki, EBSU, has debunked a social media report that it was illegally auctioning properties of the Institution.

Speaking to newsmen in Abakaliki Thursday, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Chigozie Ogbu urging the public to disregard it.

Ogbu, a former Deputy Governor of the state, said the Management decided to put the records straight in public interest and not to “dignify the purveyor of the report”

“The writer alleged that EBSU properties are auctioned but they are actually in good use as no single property of the Institution has ever been auctioned when still in good use.

“Prior to the auctioning process, a university statutory board of survey is normally mandated by the university to look at some of its unserviceable items.

“This board headed by a reputable professor has membership drawn across the university and takes not less that 6 months to compile list of items.”

The Vice Chancellor noted that the final list of items usually go through several layers of approval by the institution’s Management.

“The list is made public for a couple of weeks before public bidding, detailing names and locations of items.

“This is to enable prospective bidders to have proper assessment as the bidding is usually held on a
publicised date and venue.

“Interested members of the public converge on the venue to observe the process which is next to perfection.”

Ogbu noted that the police was currently investigating the case of the institution’s articulated vehicle which was stolen in the custody of one its drivers.

The Institution’s Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration, Prof. Chika Nwafor highlighted that the driver raised alarm that the articulated vehicle was illegally towed by some unknown persons where it was parked at the mechanic village.

“Investigations into the matter commenced
and when the driver was interrogated by security agencies, he recanted and claimed it was towed inside a widow’s compound where it was packed for safety.

“The vehicle was tracked by security agents to a location at Ikwo Local Government Area but was curiosity remodelled to almost a new one.

“Happily, the vehicle has been retrieved as it serves utility purposes for the Institution.”