NAN-H-75
Education
By Carol Utulu
Asaba, Dec. 7, 2016 (NAN) Delta state government is maximizing funds from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) to improve basic education, the Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Mr Chiedu Ebie, has said.
Ebie, who made the statement on Wednesday in Asaba while briefing newsmen, said that the state had successfully accessed both the 2013 and 2014 UBE funds.
“It is important to place on record that Delta State is one of the very few states to have religiously accessed the UBE funds provided by the federal government for accelerated basic education service delivery.
“We have successfully accessed the 2013 and 2014 funds which is in the total sum of N2,061,594,594.56 and N1,904,594,594.60 respectively, having provided 50 per cent of its counterpart funds,” he said.
The commissioner said that funds from the UBE programme had enabled the government to execute numerous educational development projects across the state.
He listed some of the projects to include construction and renovation of 1,173 classrooms, provision of 12,830 pupils’ desks and 3,214 teachers’ furniture.
Others include construction of 22 solar-powered boreholes; 29 VIP toilets and construction of 108 perimeter fence.
Ebie promised that in line with the SMART agenda of the Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa-led administration, funds from the UBE would be effeciently utilised to accelerate basic education in the state.
He said that the government was committed to its obligation to the UBE programme by ensuring regular payment of its counterpart funds.
“We are on course to access the 2015 UBE funds following the approval by the State Executive Council for the release of N876,756,756.58k being the state’s counterpart fund,” he said.
The commissioner said that the commitment of the government to provide access to education for all Deltans, had led to the opening of new schools across the state.
He said the Ministry had in the past one year, established 21 new public schools across the state, made up of four primary and 17 post-primary schools. (NAN)
CVU/AEA/AEA
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Edited by Archibong Asuquo