Students, staff reconcile to move foward

 STUDENTS and staff of the University of Natural Resources and Environment have agreed to bury the hatchet and move the institution forward.

In a reconciliation ceremony on Saturday,  K6000 was paid by the two parties to two students for injuries they received during the recent boycott of classes.

The students had initially demanded a compensation of about K40,000. But this was reduced to K12000 under the East New Britain no-compensation policy.

The university is yet to pay K6000 to the students but Inland Baining Local Level Government president John Sambi has pledged to assist.

Witnessing the peace ceremony was Kerevat police station commander Chief Inspector David Yapu, Sambi and others.

The highlight of the reconciliation ceremony was the distribution of the Tolai Shell Moni (Tabu)  by the Tubuans to signify that peace had been restored at the university.

He said the university had been recognised as a vital institution which produced people to work in resources and environment sectors.

Sambi said as the institution was in the LLG, it was the responsibility of the government and the people to look after the well-being of students.

“The ENB provincial government does not entertain compensation (but) it is my responsibility to negotiate for the best (solution),” he said.

He told the students that they must also be blamed for the problems.

University acting Vice-Chancellor Dr. Samson Laup urged the staff and students to put aside their differences and move the university forward.