Delta State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Chief Patrick Ukah, has cautioned contractors handling school projects in the state to be up and doing as the state government will no longer tolerate unnecessary delays in the completion of projects
The commissioner gave this warning at Emore Grammar School, Oleh, Isoko South Local Government Area, when he led officials of the ministry to inspect the 24 class rooms, laboratories and offices, among others, built by the state government.
After inspecting and seeing the number of students in each classroom in the school, Chief Ukah expressed dissatisfaction with the slow pace of the completion of the new project, adding that after three visits to the school, no significant progress have been made by the contractor.
He instructed relevant officials of the ministry to do a valuation of the extent of the work done already to enable the state government to take a decision on the project.
The commissioner said that he will do everything possible to ensure that outstanding works on the project are concluded within weeks so that the students can continue with their academic activities in a very conducive environment.
Chief Ukah warned other contractors handling school projects in the state to strictly abide by the terms of their contracts or risk the revocation of such contracts.
The commissioner stated that the state government will not treat defaulting contractors with kids gloves stressing that henceforth, punitive actions will be taken against such contractors.
The Principal of the school, Mr. Lawrence Efidhere, represented by the Senior Teacher, Mr. Ezekiel Oki, conducted the commissioner and his team round the school.
In an interview, the Head Boy of the school, Oghenekaro Ogheneafituwo, and the Head Girl, Jennifer Ogbe, thanked the commissioner and his team for the inspection and commended him for his determination to see that the project is completed.
2.)
2019/2020 Zenith Bank Delta Principals’ Cup Football Competition:
Orhuwhorun High School Gets One Season Ban
Orhuwhorun High School, Orhuwhorun, Udu Local Government Area of Delta State, have been given one season ban for fielding ineligible players in the ongoing 2019/2020 Zenith Bank Delta Principals’ Cup Football Competition.
The state Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Chief Patrick Ukah, who approved the recommendations of a committee set up to look into a petition written by Destiny Secondary School, Ughelli, Ughelli North Local Government Area, said the sanction is to act as deterrent to any school who may want to perpetuate illegality during the competition.
He also directed that the Principal of the school be given a query to explain what led to the development.
During a Zone D preliminary match played between the two schools at Irri Grammar School, Irri, on Friday, October 18, 2019, Destiny Secondary School, who lost the encounter, 4-5 on penalties, after a 1-1 draw at the end of regulation time, accused the winners of featuring ineligible players.
Following this development, a committee was set up to look into the matter and officials of the two schools were invited to appear before the committee.
During the exercise, it was revealed that the winners fielded two players namely Omoteregha Meru and Jemuo Samuel, who were not verified and whose names were not in the school registration form as verified and certified by the Technical and Venue Committee of the championship thereby contravening sections of the rules and regulations of the competition.
The committee noted that the action of Orhuwhorun High School amounted to the use of mercenaries during the match. The committee therefore nullified the result of the match and awarded the encounter to Destiny Secondary School, Ughelli.
Chief Ukah disclosed that the ministry has zero tolerance for cheating among pupils and students and assured that the screening of players will continued till the end of the competition.