More states will soon access UBEC funds – Says Saraki

Follow 9News Nigeria On Social Media

Social sharing

President of the Senate, Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, has stated that Senate’s amendment of the Act that establishes the Compulsory Universal Basic Education, will provide all 36 States of Nigeria with needed funds to enhance the quality of education in the country.

In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, Saraki said that for many years, many States had been unable to access the intervention funds from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), due to their inability to pay the 50 per cent matching grant prescribed by the Act.

The Senate President stated that the Upper Chamber’s amendment of the Bill was in-line with its commitment to ensure that education is improved at all levels across the country.

“Let’s get this clear,” the Senate President said, “As things stand, with over 10.5 million out of school children in the country, most states across the Federation cannot meet the required commitment of 50 per cent to access their UBEC funds.

“There is absolutely no point having over N60 billion of basic education funds lying idle, because the States — due to other necessary commitments — cannot provide the counterpart funding for UBEC.

“This is why the Senate amendment is a downward review from 50 per cent to 10 per cent. What we are doing is telling the states that ‘Look, education is important, we know that you cannot commit the full 50 per cent to UBEC, however, if you can bring 10 per cent of the counterpart funds, you will be able to access this money to improve the quality of basic education.

READ ALSO  JUST IN!!! Six Labour Party Lawmakers Decamp To PDP (Photo)

“This will go a long way in taking many more of our children off the streets and back in the classrooms where they belong,” Saraki said.

On his part, the Senator representing Sokoto North, Senator Aliyu Wammako, the sponsor of the Bill, has stated that the Senate’s amendment will ease pressure on states in accessing funds for infrastructure development.

Wamakko, who is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic and Secondary Education, stated that the Compulsory, Free, Universal Basic Education Act of 2004, was amended with a clause that will make primary and secondary education free and compulsory across the country.

“It seeks to increase the block grant contribution of the Federal Government to education,” the Senator said, “Just as it seeks to reduce the contribution of the state governments.”

The former Governor of Sokoto State also emphasized that the two per cent budgetary allocation to the Universal Basic Education by the Central Government “is now increased to three per cent.”

In the past, many states across the federation have blamed their inability to access their UBEC funds on the compulsory payment of 50 per cent matching grants.

The UBE scheme came into effect in 2005 in order to usher in free and qualitative educa­tion to all children in public primary and junior second­ary schools, by providing them with modern school facilities as well as ensuring the avail­ability of qualified teachers.

READ ALSO  Earning ₦200K Monthly In Nigeria Is Better Than £2000 In UK - Allen Onyema
Leave your comment on this post

THE ROTTEN FISH: CAN OF WORMS OPENED OF APC & TINUBU'S GOVERNMENT OVER NIGERIA'S ECONOMIC DOWNTURN

WATCH THE CRITICAL ANALYSIS AND KNOW THE RESPONSIBLE PARTIES TO BLAME FOR NIGERIA'S ECONOMIC CHALLENGES, WHILE CITIZENS ENDURE SEVERE HARDSHIPS.

Watch this episode of ISSUES IN THE NEWS on 9News Nigeria featuring Peter Obi's Special Adviser, Dr Katch Ononuju, 9News Nigeria Publisher, Obinna Ejianya and Tinubu Support Group Leader, McHezekiah Eherechi

The economic crisis and hardship in Nigeria are parts of the discussion.


Watch, leave your comments, and share to create more awareness on this issue.


#9NewsNigeria #Nigeria #issuesInTheNews #politics #tinubu THE ROTTEN FISH: CAN OF WORMS OPENED ...
DON'T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE AND LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS FOR SUBSEQUENT UPDATES
#9newsnigeria #economia #economy #nigeria #government @9newsng
www.9newsng.com

Leave your comment

Click on the link below or Scan the QR Code to join the 9News Nigeria WhatsApp Channel

9News Nigeria Investigative Reports WhatsApp Channel
9News Nigeria Investigative Reports WhatsApp Channel
About Uchenna Mbam 9159 Articles
Uchenna Mbam is a reliable full time Blogger on news media as Editor/Publisher. Be free to Contact me via Facebook @Mbam Uchenna or Email me @uchennambam23@gmail.com

Be the first to comment

Leave your comment