PDP queries N19.18bn unspent Benue SUBEB fund

The Peoples Democratic Party in Benue State has expressed concern over the deplorable condition of public schools in the state despite the reported N19.18bn in unspent intervention funds allocated to the State Universal Basic Education Board.

The PUNCH had exclusively reported last week that the Universal Basic Education Commission disclosed that Benue State had the highest amount of unspent education intervention funds among states, totalling N19.18bn.

The opposition party criticised the administration of Governor Hyacinth Alia for failing to access the funds despite the urgent need to improve public school infrastructure and learning conditions across the state.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the state Publicity Secretary of the party, Bright Antyo, the PDP described the development as an indictment of a government which, it said, had consistently demonstrated an alarming disconnect between its public pronouncements and the realities confronting ordinary residents.

The statement read in part, “At a time when children in other states are learning in upgraded school facilities, following the unprecedented resources available to the governments of their states as a result of fuel subsidy removal, the discovery that billions of naira earmarked for basic education in Benue State have remained unspent is nothing short of scandalous.”

The party demanded that the state government explain the various tranches of UBEC intervention funds released to it and why they had not been utilised within the appropriate period.

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It also asked the government to disclose the specific projects approved for the funds and the progress made towards their implementation, as well as whether it had provided the required counterpart funding and fulfilled all necessary conditions for accessing the intervention.

The PDP further demanded an explanation of the whereabouts of the N19.18bn and the measures put in place to ensure that every naira was accounted for and deployed for its intended purpose.

It also questioned why public schools across the state remained in poor condition despite the availability of substantial education intervention funds.

The party called on the state government to publish a comprehensive breakdown of all UBEC funds received since the inception of the Alia administration, including counterpart contributions, approved projects, contracts awarded, payments made and outstanding balances.

“Governor Alia must understand that public funds are not political trophies to be displayed in government accounts.

“They are resources entrusted to government for the benefit of the people. Money appropriated for the education of Benue children must be put to work to ensure that Benue children have access to quality education,” the statement added.