By Daniel Tyokua
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike has approved N30.9 billion for rehabilitation of public schools in the territory.
Mandate Secretary, Education Secretariat, FCT Administration, Dr Danlami Hayyo disclosed this during a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday.
He said the approval of the funds was a testament to the priority the minister placed on the education sector.
Hayyo explained that out of the fund, N13.3 billion was approved for the renovation and rehabilitation of 40 schools, which would be completed in the next 100 days.
He added that N13.1 billion was also approved for an accelerated whole-school rehabilitation approach, beginning with 18 schools.
Hayyo explained that the whole school rehabilitation approach was designed to rehabilitate the entire school infrastructure and facilities, including toilets, hostels, dining and provision of furniture and water.
He further said that four schools would also be renovated in the second batch of the whole-school rehabilitation approach at the cost of N4.5 billion.
He identified the schools as Government Science Technical College Kwali, Government Science Technical College Maitama, Government Secondary School Kuje and Government Secondary School Wuse II.
The mandate secretary said that all the projects would be completed before May 2024 and would be part of the project that would be commissioned by President Bola Tinubu to mark his 100 days in office.
The mandate secretary also commended the minister for addressing the lingering crisis between primary school teachers and the Area Council Secretariat.
He explained that the minister has committed to settle 40 per cent of the N7 billion minimum wage arrears owed the primary school teacher by the six area councils.
He further said that the area councils would settle the remaining 60 per cent of the amount, which would be paid within the next three months.
He said that the amount to be paid by the area councils would be deducted from source to ensure compliance.
Hayyo, who assured that all necessary procurement procedures would be followed, complained that the renovations were massive because the previous administration did not do much in the sector.
“The previous administration neglected the education sector. No meaningful intervention by the previous administration in the education sector of the FCT.
“That is why the huge work is going to be done by the current administration. That is why the minister took education as a serious matter and earmarked about N30 billion,” he said.
