Nyosom Wike Wants Transparency In UBEC Funds

Written By Blogger on Kamis, 25 Juli 2013 | 04.16

The minister of state for education, Barr Ezenwo Wike, has appealed to states that have not accessed their counterpart funds from the Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC, to do so in the interest of the children, noting that as much as N41.3 billion meant for basic education development remains un-accessed by states to date.

The minister made the appeal in Abuja while delivering a keynote address at a 2-Day National Education Summit organised by the House Committee on education, stressing that the failure of states to access the funds hinders the needed development in the basic education sub-sector.

"This singular act short changes the basic education sector and children resident in their domain. We must all be committed to making education a top priority, reiterating federal government's commitment to transform the education sector, while pointing out that basic education is the constitutional responsibility of states and local governments.

However, he said that what the federal government is doing through UBEC, is to lend support to the states in efforts to enable the sub-sector get out of the shadows cast by its long neglect.

Speaking of initiatives taken by this administration to transform the sector, the minister said that the ministry, through the 4-Year strategic plan as a guide, expanded access by the construction of 125 almajiri schools which have already been completed and handed over to benefiting states; while 45 are under construction and are at various stages of completion.