ASABA/Nigeria: Former Commissioner for Information in Delta State, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, has dismissed media reports suggesting that a court order directed the state government to account for N200 billion funds received from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC). Aniagwu, flanked by former Chief Press Secretary to Governor Okowa, Mr. Olisa Ifeajika, asserted that no such funds were received, and the reports were a figment of the writers’ imagination.
Addressing the issue of accountability, Aniagwu stated that the state government had no qualms providing information, as they were proud of their interventions across various sectors, not just education. He emphasized that they welcomed requests for accountability from NGOs and citizens but emphasized the importance of adhering to proper procedures in making such inquiries.
Clarifying the specifics of the request from the Social Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), Aniagwu stated that it pertained to information on how the state managed basic education from 2015 to 2019, particularly concerning a viral video involving a pupil named Success Adegor from Okotie Eboh Primary School in Sapele. He reiterated that there was no mention of N200 billion in the plaintiff’s arguments or submissions.
Aniagwu disclosed that between 2015 and 2019, the state government received a total of N13.7 billion from UBEC, which included counterpart funds from the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB). Out of this amount, the Delta State Government contributed N6.6 billion as its counterpart funding through SUBEB. He emphasized the responsibility of UBEC to supervise the utilization of these funds in line with the listed projects in schools.
Furthermore, Aniagwu highlighted that the Okowa administration did not solely rely on UBEC funding for school infrastructure development. The government also received interventions from the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education. He proudly mentioned that the administration established 81 new public schools, comprising 56 secondary schools and 25 primary schools, which were independent of UBEC and SUBEB projects.
Regarding calls for accountability even after leaving office, Aniagwu asserted that government was a continuum and not about any individual. He questioned the basis of the N200 billion figure and suggested that political motivations might be at play in the reports.
In conclusion, the former commissioner reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability while dismissing any insinuations of impropriety in their use of funds allocated for education and other developmental projects.
