Abian’s Best Interest Association, a pro-All Progressives Congress (APC) group in Abia State has decried the deplorable state of schools in the state
The Convener of the group, Hon. Eze Chikamnayo, while addressing a press conference on Tuesday in Abuja, said the group, in continuation of its Local Government Area (LGA) tours visited several Local Government Areas in the State, where it interacted with stakeholders on developmental issues before embarking on an on-the-spot inspection of public schools in particular.
He revealed that in Ugwunagbo, LGA, schools visited included Ihie Community Primary School, Ihie Ukwu Primary School, Asa Umunka Primary School, and Ikem Migrant Farmers School.
While in Isiala Ngwa South, the team inspected Nneise Primary School – Umuhu/Umuezu Nvosi, Umunkpeyi Primary School – Umunkpeyi Nvosi, and Obuba Primary School – Obuba Nvosi, Ikem Migrant Farmers School.
Chikamnayo noted: “From our dispassionate observation, we wish to hereby unequivocally decry the deplorable state of infrastructure in these schools, amongst others, noting that the decay was even more alarming in Isiala Ngwa South – the acclaimed and very contentious Local Government of the sitting Governor, Mr Alex Otti “One wonders then, if charity no longer begins at home.
“We went further to question the much-publicized ₦54 billion which appeared in the Abia State Budget Performance Report for the renovation and retrofitting of public schools for the year 2024 and stress that a Budget Performance Report, anywhere in the world, details accomplished projects and the actual amounts spent – not mere approved figures.
“We also noted with alarm, that before then, the Ministry of Education Abia State under Dr. Uche Eme, the Commissioner recorded that ₦14 billion was withdrawn in 2023 for the same renovation of public schools.”
The group recalled that Otti as opposition leader had earlier promised that “under my watch, not a Kobo of Abia resources will be stolen”.
Chikamnayo added: “We now question how such words can be trusted when his administration thrives on non-disclosure and only tries to explain itself when prompted. This lack of transparency and accountability we believe is a gross disservice to Abians.
“The Abia Best Interest Association and indeed the APC Abia State, therefore, wishes to draw attention of the public to the fact that allocations and various intervention funds coming to Abia State from the federal government, have tripled since the inception of the President Tinubu’s Administration – wondering why there was still nothing tangible to show in the education sector in Abia State compared to the situation in Imo and Enugu States, where the government has rebuilt, modernized, and equipped public schools with visible results for all to see.
“We further wish to express shock that the state government included “recruitment of teachers, buying chalks our teaching aids” among the items for which the ₦54 billion was supposedly spent. When did employing teachers and purchasing instructional materials become capital projects?”
The group called on Abians to be vigilant, ask questions, and demand full accountability and transparency from the Otti-led administration.
“The future of our children is at stake, and no government should be allowed to mortgage it under the guise of inflated or questionable expenditure,” it added.
The group also drew the attention of all Abians to the following “non-existing” projects for which monies have been written away as shown in the said report: Research & Development -N7.28 billion; Construction of Recreational Facilities – N6.5 billion, Improvement of Agric Seedlings -4 billion; Capacity Building – N3 billion; Security Vote – 18 Billion, Renovation of schools – 54 billion and LGA allocations – Over 300 billion.
The group maintained that it has a duty to hold the Government accountable especially in view of the humongous amount totalling over N1 trillion which President Bola Tinubu reform policies have made possible.