The Federal Ministry of Education has commended the National Examinations Council for acquiring facilities to enhance efficiency in conducting credible examinations across the country.

The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, said this on Saturday at the NECO Headquarters in Minna, while inaugurating the facilities.

The minister inaugurated 70 new Toyota Hilux pickups, office accommodation, a block of classrooms, and data and scanning centres.

Mr Mamman, represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Andrew Adejo, said he did not doubt that the facilities would enhance NECO’s output.

He said the vehicles would be inadequate for the operations of the council, hence the need to acquire additional vehicles, including speed boats, to enable adequate coverage of the nation. ,

“The purchase of these vehicles is one step in the right direction,” he said.

The minister said the new facilities would go a long way in helping to facilitate the efficient delivery of examination materials and contributing to checking some forms of examination malpractice.

He said that the facilities were part of efforts to bring the nation’s public examination bodies to international standards.

Mr Mamman assured NECO and other examination bodies that the government would continue to support them to ensure that they perform optimally.

Earlier, NECO Registrar, Prof. Ibrahim Wushishi, said that since the assumption of office in July 2021, the council has ensured the timely release of NECO examination results.

Mr Wushishi said that the council had prioritised staff welfare and ensured insurance coverage for them.

He said that the council had renovated and equipped 36 state offices in Abuja.

(NAN)