BEVERLY HILLS, CA, NOVEMBER 01, (THEWILL) – The Borno State Government is to demolish some classrooms recently renovated by the Federal Government in the state at the cost of N100 million over poor standards.
Governor Kashim Shettima on Friday gave the order for the demolition of the reconstructed classrooms which were razed by Boko Haram at the peak of the insurgency, during the inauguration of the free exercise books project for primary and secondary schools in the state.
The project was flagged of at Abbaganaram Primary School and Junior Secondary School Abbaganaram, which were both destroyed at the peak of the Boko Haram insurgency but were recently renovated by the Federal Government.
Shettima, who inspected the renovated classroom blocks at the two schools, noted that the renovation did not meet the minimum standard. He said the structure remains unacceptable to the people of the state and the government.
“Honestly, those who were given the contract for renovation of these classroom blocks by the Federal Government did a shabby job, and we will not allow our students to continue using such structure, because apart from not been conducive for learning, the structure have no ventilation.
“We will release money immediately to demolish and reconstructed new classroom blocks in this school fitted with security lights, fans and other facilities that will make the students comfortable when learning,” Shettima said.
He said though the Federal Government believed it has assisted the state with the N100 million spent on the renovation of the razed schools, but “with this shabby work, they have actually done nothing.”
The head teacher of the school ad told the governor that the renovated classroom was weak and may fall on surrounding building wreaking havoc. “What they call assistance has only compounded the problem of the school from the look of things,”
Shettima said.
Impressed by the high turn out of pupils, the governor directed the Rector of Ramat Polytechnic Maiduguri, Dr. Babagana Umara, to supply the school with 2,000 furniture which were made by the institution.
He said with the new lease of life in the state, especially Maiduguri, a lot need to be done to make schools what it should be. He insisted that if education is made right and children of school-age are made to attend, “the problem of insecurity is half solved.”
He promised that students would be given free uniforms, textbooks and exercise books and given a lunch as he disclosed the state government will go a step further in Northern Borno where school attendance was at all time low by giving parents money as incentive to sending their wards to school.
