…Introduces Free School Transport

In a bid to further cushion the effect of removal of petrol subsidy by the Federal government, the Enugu State Government has introduced free transport services for primary school pupils and secondary school students in the state.

The State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Chuks Ugwoke who disclosed this while addressing the newsmen at the end of the first meeting of the year of the State Executive Council said the service  would  be provided by the government owned Coal City shuttle buses.

Mr. Ugwoke said that the bus services would operate in all parts of the State between half past six O’clock and eight O’clock in the morning to three O’clock in the afternoon.

He, however, added that the buses would only pick up students in their various school uniforms, explaining that government’s decision in this direction was in line with the administration of Governor Chime’s resolve to improve quality of education and make commuting for students much easier, more convenient and affordable.

According to him, the council meeting chaired by the State Governor, Mr. Sullivan Chime also approved the sum of over N238m for the repair/renovation and upgrading of infrastructure at the School of Health Technology Oji River and School of Public Health Nursery /Health Technology Nsukka.

Out of the total amount, he said more than N121m was earmarked for construction of classrooms, administrative office, library, hostel blocks, water boreholes and ICT centre at the Oji River School of Health Technology, while about N116m would  be spent for the same project at the school of Public Health Nursing Nsukka through direct labour.

Mr. Ugwoke also said that the council approved executive draft bills for laws to establish the two schools to be sent to the State House of Assembly for its consideration and consequent passage to give the schools the needed framework and statutory powers.

He stated that during the meeting, approval was also  given for the take off of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) for Civil Servants in the state, adding that government had already paid the sum of more than N257m representing 15 per cent, for the first quarter of this year in favour of civil servants in the state.

Mr. Ugwoke said  that after the payment for the first one-year, government would now pay 10 per cent of the contribution while civil servants would contribute 5 per cent of the sum.