By ABEL JOHNGOLD ORHERUATA
The Chairman House Committee on Education in the Delta State House of Assembly (DTHA), Hon. Charles Emetulu has stated that it is unrealistic for any State Government to allocate 25% of its annual budget to education as recommended by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) because of fundamental infrastructural deficits all over the country.
Hon. Emetulu made the statement yesterday in Asaba when he received on courtesy visit a delegation of the leadership of the National Association of Polytechnic Students (NAPS)
He noted that infrastructural deficits all over the country would seriously affect any State Government that dares to allocate 25% of her annual budget to education alone because other sectors might negatively be affected.
Hon. Emetulu who expressed worries that lots of infrastructure had crashed in the country, lamented that Nigerians do not pay tax pointing out revenue from taxes helped government in building and fixing of decaying infrastructure.
The former Commissioner for Power and Energy now a lawmaker representing Ndokwa West in the State Assembly, noted that the country’s needs were properly captured in her constitution but derailment in implementation has remained the challenge.
“Nigeria is not lacking in laws but in implementation. The challenges is in implementation. What we need is implementation”. He said.
Earlier in his remarks, the National President of NAPS, Comrade Eneji Mohammed alleged anti students policies of the federal government that led to 8% of budget allocation to education sector against the 25% recommended by UNESCO, politically motivated victimization of students leaders and the dichotomy of HND and B.Sc graduates as the causes of the long Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP) that delayed their academic calendar.
The NAPS President, who was represented by the NAPS Director of Mobilization & Strategies Engagement, Comrade Dio Oghale Emeka Rex, used the opportunity to appeal to the DTHA House Committee Chairman on Education to use his position to facilitate the upward review of budgetary allocation for education in the Delta State Government year 2020 Budget.
Comrade Mohammed commended the State Government for the establishment of Ministry of Technical Education and establishment of technical schools in the 25 local government of Delta State.
Presenting an Certificate of Credence plaque to Hon. Emetulu for his doggedness and achievements so far in governance, the NAPS delegation congratulated the lawmaker for his victory at the poll and his emergence as Chairman, House Committee on Education in the State Assembly.