A joint parliamentary committee has issued a one-week ultimatum to resolve the ongoing land dispute involving Milton Margai Technical University (MMTU), New Brookfields Hotel (NBH), and the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE).
The directive was given during a joint hearing of the Committees on Tourism and Tertiary Education, convened to address the contentious land ownership issue between MMTU and NBH.
The dispute centers on a piece of land claimed by both MMTU and NBH, with their respective supervisory ministries also drawn into the conflict. During the hearing, Honourable William Joseph Lamin, Deputy Chairman of the joint committee, presided and ensured that all parties had the opportunity to present their positions on the matter.
Mohamed Allieu Jalloh, Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor and Director of Academic Affairs at MMTU, explained that the university had previously enjoyed a collaborative relationship with NBH.
He revealed that earlier this year, discussions had been underway between MMTU and NBH regarding the use of the disputed land as a parking area. However, Jalloh accused the Permanent Secretary of MTHE, Mr. Cooper, of disrupting these talks and escalating the issue into a major conflict.
“We are not receiving the necessary support from the Ministry, particularly from the Permanent Secretary,” Jalloh stated, accusing Mr. Cooper of exacerbating the dispute between NBH and MMTU.
Jalloh further reported that renovations and ongoing construction at MMTU’s Brookfields campus have been stalled due to a lack of funds.
He noted that the university has yet to receive the financial support promised by the government, hindering the completion of these critical projects.
“The Permanent Secretary does not understand the cost implications of stalling the university’s court,” Jalloh added. He also claimed that the Minister of Higher and Technical Education had threatened to allocate another portion of land to NBH if MMTU refused to cede the disputed land.
In response, Emmanuel J. Momoh, Director of Education at MTHE, countered that the Minister is fully aware of the situation.
He mentioned that MMTU had been summoned to a meeting by MTHE but declined to attend. Momoh also referenced Section 16 of the 2001 Polytechnic Act, which allows for the transfer of property between parties.
Honourable Ben Alpha Mansaray emphasized the need for a national approach to the issue, advocating for the development of the country’s education system over supporting private entertainment facilities. “Let us save the nation by improving universities rather than supporting hotels,” Mansaray advised.
A representative from the Teaching Service Commission noted that although the dispute had not been formally brought to their attention, they were aware of it through their involvement with the university’s court.
The committee concluded by instructing all parties to resolve the dispute amicably, prepare a comprehensive position paper, and present it by Thursday, August 29, 2024. Additionally, MMTU was ordered to draft a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Student Loan Scheme, which currently occupies part of the Brookfields campus, outlining clear terms of tenancy.
The hearing was adjourned to Thursday, August 29, 2024.
