Vice-chancellor of Juba University warns businessmen against grabbing university land

JUBA – The vice-chancellor of South Sudan’s Juba University Professor John Akec has warned businessmen against grabbing land belonging to the University.

The warning came after the University of Juba land at Customs Market behind the School of Law is allegedly under threat from a group of South Sudan businessmen who are chasing away traders who are temporary leasing the land.

Akec warned alleged land grabbers to stay away from the University’s land and avoid erecting structures on land allocated to the university in a message shared on his Facebook page.

“This is to let all the General Public know that the University of Juba land at Customs Market behind the School of Law is currently under threat from a group of South Sudan businessmen who are chasing away traders who are temporary leasing the land and we have credible information that this group of people plans to build their own Super Market,” Akec said.

He warned land grabbers to stop or he and his students will March through the streets of Juba and forcefully demolish the buildings erected on University’s land.

“Be assured that my students and I will march through the streets of Juba and will demolish your buildings that you are erecting on our land. Be wise. Be very wise with your money. Do not say you have not been warned about your potential financial loss,” he said.

“Our Authorities need to intervene but let it be clear to all; we (Administration, Staff, and Students of University) will fight with all our might to make sure that this never happens in our watch,” he said.

He promised to name and shames the land grabbers once they have concrete evidence of their involvement.

“This is the large change of University of Juba land in the Customs are of Juba that has been fenced off recently for development by a group of businessmen and rent-seekers with the usual backing of politicians and operatives from organized and security forces (names of those involved are withheld for now),” he said.