FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has approved N30.9 billion for massive school rehabilitation projects in the federal capital.

Danlami Hayyo, mandate secretary, Education Secretariat, FCT Administration, stated this at a news conference in Abuja on Tuesday.

According to Mr Hayyo, the gesture is a testament to the priority the minister placed on the education sector.

He said that out of the fund, N13.3 billion was approved for the renovation and rehabilitation of 40 schools, to be completed in 100 days.

The mandate secretary said N13.1 billion was also provided for an accelerated whole-school rehabilitation approach, beginning with 18 schools.

Mr Hayyo said the school rehabilitation approach was designed to rehabilitate the entire school infrastructure and facilities, including toilets, hostels, dining, and the provision of furniture and water.

He further said four schools would be renovated in the second batch of the whole-school rehabilitation approach at N4.5 billion.

He listed the schools as Government Science Technical College, Kwali; Government Science Technical College, Maitama; Government Secondary School, Kuje; and Government Secondary School, Wuse II.

Mr Hayyo said the projects are expected to be completed before May 2024, adding that it would be part of the project that President Bola Tinubu would commission to mark his one year in office.

The mandate secretary also commended the minister for addressing the lingering crisis between primary school teachers and the Area Council Secretariat.

He explained that the minister was committed to settling 40 per cent of the N7 billion minimum wage arrears owed to the primary school teachers by the six area councils.

Mr Hayyo further said the area councils would settle the remaining 60 per cent of the amount, which would be paid within the next three months.

The mandate secretary, who assured that all necessary procurement procedures would be followed, complained that the renovations were massive because the previous administration did not do much in the sector.

“The previous administration neglected the education sector—no meaningful intervention by the previous administration in the education sector of the FCT.

“That is why the huge work is going to be done by the current administration. That is why the minister took education as a serious matter and earmarked about N30 billion,” he said. 

(NAN)