Students and staff of Bayero University, Kano (BUK) will no longer be allowed to charge privately owned electric motorcycles and other electric vehicles using the university’s electricity supply.
The institution announced the immediate ban, saying the growing practice has significantly increased its electricity bills and placed additional financial pressure on the university.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Director of Public Affairs, Lamara Garba, the university said management had observed the indiscriminate charging of private electric motorcycles and other electric vehicles across its campuses.
According to the statement, the development has contributed to the sharp rise in the institution’s electricity costs, making the practice unsustainable.
“The Management of Bayero University, Kano has observed with concern the indiscriminate charging of privately owned electric motorcycles and other electric vehicles using the University’s electricity supply across its campuses.
“This practice has contributed significantly to the sharp increase in the University’s electricity bills, thereby placing an enormous financial burden on the institution. At a time when the University is committed to the prudent management of its resources, the continued use of University electricity for charging private electric motorcycles is no longer sustainable.
“Consequently, Management has banned, with immediate effect, the charging of electric motorcycles and other privately owned electric vehicles on all University campuses and premises,” the statement read.
The university directed all staff, students, commercial motorcycle operators and other users of electric motorcycles to stop charging their vehicles with the institution’s electricity supply.
It warned that anyone found violating the directive would face disciplinary action in line with the university’s rules and regulations.
“Accordingly, all staff, students, commercial motorcycle operators and other users of electric motorcycles are hereby advised to desist from charging their motorcycles using the University’s electricity supply.
“Management expects full compliance with this directive. Any person found violating this ban will be liable to appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with the University’s rules and regulations,” the statement added.
To ensure compliance, the university directed provosts, deans, directors, heads of department and heads of unit to monitor activities within their respective areas and report any violations to the appropriate authorities.
It also disclosed that a university monitoring team would conduct regular patrols across all campuses to enforce the directive.
The institution appealed to members of the university community to cooperate with the new policy, describing it as part of efforts to reduce energy costs and ensure the responsible management of university resources.
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