Executive Chairman of SUBEB, Elder Anietie Etuk (Centre), the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Research and Documentation, Dr. Essien Ndueso (1st from left) and others during the projects tour recently.
By Anietie Akpan
Akwa Ibom State government has issued a one month ultimatum to all contractors handling the 2023 State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) intervention projects in the State to deliver or face the consequences.
A release from the Media Unit of the Governor’s Office on Wednesday, May 7, said this matching order became necessary so as to enable the board embark on the next phase of interventions.
Accordingly, classroom block projects handled by contractors in the State are to be completed by the end of this month.
The Executive Chairman of SUBEB, Elder Anietie Etuk, handed this ultimatum when he embarked on an inspection tour of ongoing educational infrastructure intervention projects across various local government areas in the state.
Flanked by board member in charge of School Services, Sir John Udo, and the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Research and Documentation, Dr. Essien Ndueso, Elder Etuk commended Governor Umo Eno for promptly releasing the counterpart funds for the Basic Education interventions, saying “the delay in completion also delays the commencement of new projects”.
During the tour, the SUBEB Chairman expressed satisfaction with the quality and pace of work by some of the contractors, particularly Engr. Sunday Ituen, the contractor handling a building block at Comprehensive Secondary School, Nung Obong in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area.
“This is very commendable. This is the zeal and commitment we expect from other contractors. I’m told this project was completed three weeks ago, having been awarded in February 2025. Today, the work is ready. You’re highly recommended for subsequent projects,” the Chairman remarked.
The SUBEB Boss also frowned at headteachers found collecting examination fees from pupils in Primary exiting classes, saying it was against the free education policy of the Governor.
He reiterated that basic education is provided free of charge by the state government and that no school authority is permitted to obtain money from pupils under any guise.
“The government provides free education. No headteacher has the right to collect any form of payment from pupils. Such actions are unacceptable and culprits will be sanctioned accordingly,” he said.
The tour included visits to the following schools:
* Community Secondary School, Afia Nsit Urua Nko, Nsit Ibom LGA
* Comprehensive Secondary School, Nung Obong, Nsit Ubium LGA
* Christian School, Ukat Aran, Nsit Ubium LGA
* Government School, Ikot Ofiok/Ukat, Nsit Ibom LGA
* Comprehensive Secondary School, Oboetim Ikot Ekong, Nsit Ibom LGA
* Lutheran Primary School, Obot Ndiya, Nsit Ubium LGA
Local residents and stakeholders present at the project sites expressed gratitude to the state government for its commitment to improving the learning environment for children across Akwa Ibom State.