…High flying states to get N3.9b reward

No less that N30 billion counterpart fund for the basic education sub-sector has been lying idle at the Central Bank of Nigeria, Universal Basic Education Commission disclosed yesterday in Abuja.

UBEC of the possibility of moving the unaccessed money to other sector of the economy.

Addressing the management and chairmen of the States Universal Basic Education board, SUBEB, at the UBEC headquarters, the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr. Modibbo, also disclosed that N3.9 billion has been set aside for the 2007/2008 Good Performance Award.

He blamed the perceived backwardness in the implementation of the UBE programme across the states to lack of commitment from the states, adding that a few states were yet to access their counterpart funds.

According to him, though many of the states are still footdragging in accessing these funds, the schools are in dare need of infrastructure, saying such attitude does not encourage development in the sector.

He noted that about N70 billion was outstanding as at last year, but had gone down to N30 billion following responses from affected states.

He mentioned states such as Kaduna and Imo as among those yet to fully access this fund, that states that have faded to access their 2006 funds, may lose the money to other sector.

According to him, the 2007/2008 Good Performance Award will be used to reward those states that have not only accessed and utilised their counterpart fund judiciously but also went out of their way to invest in basic education outside the UBEC fund, to meeting the Education For All EFA, and MDGs targets.

Modibbo lamented the lackadaisical attitude in the public service with particular reference to SUBEBS officials, noting that plastic furniture distributed to some of the SUBEBS were still kept in the offices, instead of been delivered to schools where they are needed. According to him, in some of these schools, pupils still sit on bare floor, while seat and tables meant for then are being held in stores for flimsy excuses.

He said, "Staff and directors in some state SUBEB were demanding money from UBEC before they can agree to distribute learning and instructional materials delivered to them. But I am happy that the SUBEB chairmen of such states had condemned the act".