FG Revokes FGGC Contract

The Federal Government has revoked the contract for the Federal Government Girls’ College, Ndufu Alike in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, due to poor execution of work by the contractor.

It would be recalled that the foundation of the school was laid in May 2010, and the project was scheduled to be completed in September 2011.

The Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, announced the revocation in Ikwo when he inspected the school.

Wike noted that poor execution of work by the contractor, had delayed the completion of the school, adding that the development had posed serious challenge to the students.

“It is disheartening that work on this structure has remained at this abysmal level in spite of the collection of over 75 per cent of the contract sum, by the contractor.

“This sort of situation will not be tolerated by the Federal Government, as the contractor is hereby summoned to my office in Abuja for explanations,” he said.

He, however, promised that government would do all it could to ensure the completion of the project by December this year, to ease the sufferings of the students.

Earlier during his courtesy visit on Governor Martin Elechi, Wike had said that the Federal Government had approved the release of N140 million for the training of teachers in Ebonyi State.

“This gesture will be extended to other states of the federation for teachers’ capacity development, to keep them abreast with the emerging trend in the teaching profession.

“About 411,080 text books will be distributed through the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), to the Ebonyi State Universal Basic Education Commission (SUBEB), to enhance teaching and learning in the state,” he said.

He said the government decided to distribute the textbooks and approved the funds for teachers’ training, to check the nefarious activities of some UBEC officials.

The minister frowned at a situation whereby some officials of the commission sold the books meant to be distributed free.

Responding, Elechi thanked the minister for the visit, saying that the revocation had vindicated the state government’s belief that the school project had been abandoned by the contractor.

“We are deeply worried by the level of work at the school which has disrupted the students’ academic activities.

“We have complained to the relevant authorities, including the Minster of Education; this revocation gladdens our hearts,” he said.

Elechi promised that his government would execute the landscaping of the school’s compound and asphalt its roads as part of its contribution to uplifting the school.