Pupils, parents and teachers of Community Primary School, Mba in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, have expressed excitement over the award of contract for the rehabilitation of the school by the Universal Basic Education (UBE).
Our correspondent who visited the school last Friday, reports that pupils and teachers as well as parents were in high spirits when the award was announced and lauded Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, for the contract.
A primary five pupil in the school, Nnamdi Emeka said, “we are very happy that our school which had been so bad for years will be rehabilitated”, and commended Governor, Nyesom Wike for remembering the school.
Chief Nnadozie Nwuzi who also expressed joy over the award  noted  that the school which was among the first school in Etche ethnic nationality had been abandoned by past administrations such that the over 15 buildings including staff quarters’ classrooms and administrative blocks all fell down  because of lack of care.
“Pupils atimes were studying under the trees and no conducive classrooms but today, I am happy that the story has changed”, he said and lauded the present administration for considering the school for rehabilitation.
He assured the contractor of proper security of their property and co-operation throughout the rehabilitation work.
He disclosed that the school had the largest land space amongst all other government primary schools  in Rivers State and appealed  to authorities of the UBE, Rivers State and Federal Government to fully develop the school.
Benee Kaanasor Nwinee, of the Project Unit of UBE, who supervises the contract lauded the community for the warm reception accorded the contractor and UBE staff and promised that standard would not be compromised.
Nwinee who is a chartered quantity surveyor stressed the need for people of the area to remain peaceful and to co-operate with the contractor throughout the execution period.
She charged them to shun unnecessary demands as matching ground, stealing of contractors materials as such could force the government to take away the contract to other areas.
On his own part, the Managing Director of Answonders Intergrated Services, Mr Ken Ndukwu, contractor handling the project assured of executing the job according to specification  and standard.
Ndukwu who also stressed on the need for peace and co-operation from the community especially the youths said the job has the period of three months to be completed but that his company was prepared to complete the job in two months if condusive environment prevails.

 
Chris Oluoh