Lodging Remains A Dilemma

Despite measures by government to build hostels in universities, lodging remains a problem within the university circle.

For those who have lived in university hostels, they must be proud that it helped them from going through the hell of getting a comfortable and affordable room around universities in Cameroon. It is now a common phenomenon to find students running helter- skelter during reopening period to get accommodations that are accessible. Having stayed there for some years, beneficiaries should be witness to the manoeuvres that surround the whole process of acquiring a bed in university hostels. To get an individual room is a jungle fight reserved for the fittest.

This explains why most students are left with the recurrent problem of battles between tenants (students) and landlords which are rife within the university milieu. With the ever growing university population, universities are not able to provide lodging for the thousands who seek lodging on campuses. This is the raison d’être of misunderstanding between students and landlords and also, the cases of intrigues that surround the whole process of acquiring a hostel in Cameroon universities.

The University of Yaounde I boost of 680 beds and if all goes well other 800 will go operational during the 2010/2011 academic year. With a student population of close to 50.000, the institution will this academic year have close to 1400 hostels.

Although the school can only boost of close to 1400 hostels, Bienvenue Nola, the Permanent Secretary for the Yaounde I Lodging facility, says it is better than nothing. “We recognise the efforts being made by government to help students from the wanton problem of lodging,” Nola said. Whatever the case, it is obvious that as Cameroon universities open their doors this October, students are already hustling for rooms around the campuses, a task which is far from easy.

Victorine BIY