Bread Vendors Relocation: “Our mandate is not to sell bread…” Management reacts, gives reason for directive

Photo: The Impact Newspaper

• Claims directive was aimed towards sanitizing the campus
• Emphasized on school's major mandate
• SUG backs directive

Safiu Kehinde

The Management of Lagos State University of Science and Technology (LASUSTECH) has reacted over its bread vendors displeasure towards the relocation directive issued earlier this week.

In response to the situation, LASUSTECH’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Olanrewaju Kuye, disclosed that the Management’s decision is geared  towards sanitizing and  maintaining the proliferation of the vendors across the campus while noting that the Institution’s mandate is to train students.

“The Dean of Students Affairs wrote to me that they don’t want proliferation of bread vendors on campus. Most of the time, you will see people selling bread here and there. This is a tertiary Institution. Even though we produce bread, let there be some level of decorum.”

“The Acting Vice Chancellor was passing by last week. He saw a woman selling corn and another selling Okirika (ready-made clothes) on campus. This is not right. We just have to sanitize the situation. Our mandate is not to sell bread. Our mandate is to produce qualified manpower for the nation.” The PRO said.

Mr. Kuye, however admit that the decision will reduce sales profit, but assured that people will get used to the change in due time.

“Over time, people will get to know that if I want bread, I will go to the activities centre, but there is no way it won’t reduce our profit- just for now. We don’t want proliferation of bread vendors on campus. Those who are buying the bread may not feel it, but outsiders can come in and observe. It is not neat.  If they want to sell bread, they can buy it and go outside to communities and sell. We also can’t consume it alone.” He added.

Also reacting to the management’s decision, the Students Union Government’s President, Mr. Balogun Aderemi, identified the decision as an attempt to maintain orderliness with the students put into consideration.

“The Management’s decisions are made in consideration of the students. They are trying to maintain orderliness. The transmutation that came into place in recent time- from Lagos State Polytechnic to LASUSTECH, has made it a critical stage for us because we are trying to do all our best in preparation for the coming University.”

“Not only the bread. Even when you go to the third gate axis, you will discover that the bike men that used to be there picking our students have been sent away with the claim that it is defacing the image of the institution. We are trying to keep a good pace for the coming University.” He said.