Tears From Home: Journeying to UBEC Projects in Anambra
”Education is the most powerful weapon which one can use to change the world” … NELSON MANDELA
I have been a procurement monitor for several years now and followed up on procurement processes using the Freedom of information Act. Out of town monitoring of projects has always been a welcome idea for me because it avails me the opportunity to verify public funds are judiciously utilized in providing effective service delivery especially for the impoverished communities in Nigeria.
On the morning of 19th of February, 2017, I got ready for the trip from Abuja to Onitsha in Anambra state, South Eastern Nigeria. My task was to visit and assess five special intervention projects in schools under Orumba North, Anambra West and Ihiala South Local Government Areas of Anambra state. These projects were gotten from the procurement records received from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) which was fed on an online platform that links procurement data to public service delivery called ‘BUDESHI’. This is with the purpose of monitoring, verifying and reporting on their existence and performance of those projects. I was overjoyed about this trip because i felt like it’s my own little way of giving back to the society.
AJALI PRIMARY SCHOOL — COMPLETED AND LOCKED UP
On the early sunset of that sunny 20th February, 2017, my journey began with a trip to Ajali Primary school, Ajali in Orumba North LGA where i was to inspect several school projects by Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board (ANSUBEB)and the Education Trust Fund (ETF). In the school compound, to my greatest surprise the only 2015 UBEC Intervention Project fully constructed by Relate Global Services for the contract amount of ₦19,894,980.00 was under lock and key’.
As devastated as i was, thoughts ran through my mind and I spoke with the staff and assistant headmistress.
“My name is Nonye, please why is this fully completed intervention project under lock and key? Also, why is there a combination of Primary Four and Five in a single class and how are they taught without a clash of subjects?”
She looked into my eyes with intent and replied
”My name is Mrs. Caroline, I am the Assistant Headmistress of this very school, the Headmistress is on her way to Awka and absent for now”
She called on the other available staff, they all sat down and Mrs Caroline decided to speak a bit more...
”The school authority locked up this building because we lack teachers, we are just seven in number and can’t afford to split pupils into different classes”.
Trying to read her facial expression, I reassured her that we would use every possible means to work with the relevant authorities to make sure that more staff are posted to the school and that the building put to use. On hearing this, She was so excited and gave me her superior’s mobile phone contact details before I zoomed off to Nanka.
THE UNCOMPLETED FENCE IN NANKA COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL
On arrival to Community High school Nanka, also in Orumba North LGA, i observed that the only 2015 UBEC intervention project visible in the school, contracted to Jessean Global Concept Ltd for the sum of ₦20,040,900.00 was uncompleted and abandoned. This varied from the project title given by UBEC which stated — Reconstruction/Rehabilitation of Community High School. I walked down to the principal’s office to get more information.
After a brief introduction, i questioned him and his response was
“Over the years, there have been cases of theft, porous security and community interference in the school compound during school activities and this led to the need for a fence”
I also probed further on why the contractor abandoned the project and was told that he left because of lack of payment by the procuring entity. The principal’s request for its completion must not be swept under the carpet i said to myself, “PPDC must find a way to help this school” i also thought.
THE ABANDONED VIP TOILETS AND CLASSROOMS IN ST. ANTHONY, AZIA
The next day, I journeyed to St Anthony School, Azia in Ihiala South LGA, where i was to inspect its renovation/rehabilitation contracted to Pranav Contracting Nig Ltd for the sum of N35,000,000.00. I was very tired on arrival. However, it seemed like a dream when I stood up after a nap in the taxi and looked out the window and I couldn’t help but notice the very smooth road leading to the school compound.
I went straight to the principal’s office and he welcomed me warmly.
”Sit down” he said
“Good morning Sir,” I responded “I am here to see you”.
He listened attentively as I observed his facial countenance; He looked at the identity card hung on my neck. I introduced myself and requested to assess the projects in the school.
He didn’t seemed to be annoyed by my words, instead he replied softly
“We have 4 ANSUBEB 2014 Refurbished buildings, in fact, the former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, in collaboration with the World Bank, gave each school in Anambra state N10 million naira to do that”
while pointing towards the other direction he continued
“The only 2015 intervention projects are these 2 uncompleted and abandoned structures which are for VIP toilets, laboratory and classrooms; we are so much in need of them and we wouldn’t want rain to come and destroy them”.
I expressed my profound gratitude for his time, after which I had an interactive session with the students who complained bitterly about their toilet and sports facilities, broken fences, good water source and the need for more competent teachers. And then, it hit me… They had buried so much pain and bitterness in their hearts. Reflexively, I reached out to them, hugged and told them of the rolled out plans of PPDC for them. They were all relieved and happy. I left for my next stop.
THE UNHAPPY STUDENTS, THE ABANDONED LABORATORY OF UBAHUEKWEM TECHNICAL SCHOOL
On arrival at Technical School Ubahuekwem, Ihiala South LGA, i was to inspect its renovation/rehabilitation, contracted to Pyramid Energy Ltd for the sum of N25,000,000.00. I came down swiftly from the motorbike as we arrived. Walking through the balcony to the principal‘s office, I met some students whom I interviewed, all they requested for, was a completion of the UBEC projects which they said is for their workshop and laboratory. The students were not happy that these buildings were left partially completed.
‘’Madam please talk to the government on our behalf to see if our dream of a laboratory can be achieved”, they said.
“I will see to that” I equally responded immediately.
On meeting with the principal, he showed me two incomplete but painted buildings that are the 2015 special intervention projects.
Finally, on the third day, I visited the last school which was Nkwoji Migrant Fishermen Primary school Umuem Anam, Anambra West LGA, where i was to also inspect the Renovation/Rehabilitation of the school contracted to Jerrybells International Ltd for the sum of N10,000,150.00. I crossed from Otuocha on a boat to Umueze Anam before taking a bike to Nkwoji — Umuem Anam where the school is located.
On arrival, i met an active incomplete building.
“Why are student using this building?”
I asked after introducing myself to the assistant headmaster who responded thus…
“We have no choice but to manage what we have even when it’s incomplete, we need a toilet facility, bore hole and completion of existing structures and as you can see all the buildings in this school have rough plastering and are not worth the value”
He further explained. I felt bad and gave him some words of encouragement before i returned back to my hotel.
As i laid down on my bed in my hotel room that morning preparing to return to Abuja, I began to reminisce on the projects i inspected. I wondered how such large contract amounts could be spent on projects in the Education sector, yet left uncompleted and abandoned to rot and decay to the detriment of our future generations.This is a call for more scrutiny into how public funds are disbursed and effectively utilized to provide effective public services.
UBEC cannot afford to erect structures that would be left for cockroaches and wall geckos to occupy. More emphasis should also be placed on how to equip staff and manage the existing schools. Education is the foundation of peace and prosperity. I can’t imagine a better world without a national commitment to providing better education for all and I urge us as citizens to reinvigorate our efforts to accelerate progress in asking about the state of our projects.
Our educational system must be properly managed especially in the rural areas if we must conquer the world. I concur with a quote by Nelson Mandela that “Education is the most powerful weapon which one can use to change the world”..
