Speaking to newsmen on behalf of the parents, Apostle Israel Inana wondered why a contract that was awarded for over six months ago could not be completed, arguing that if it were a contract for a government building it would be completed in three months. “I feel like weeping now. It is time for political campaign. How do you think that parents from this school will vote, when their children are not taken care of?"
Parents in Delta State staged a protest Tuesday against the Delta State Commissioner of Womens Affairs, Betty Efekodha, for allegedly awarding to her son, a heavy contract for the renovation of the Ministry of Women Affairs' primary and nursery schools, in the capital city, Asaba.
During the demonstration, parents also expressed massive anger toward what they described as "deliberate and unnecessary" delay of the job's completion, which has caused the pupils to miss their first term school session.
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According to the aggrieved parents, their children have been out of school since July 2014 and nothing has been done about the renovation of the school. Parents also claim the ministry has urged them to allow their children to attend classes in the unfinished buildings while construction is being done. Parents and guardians therefore demanded an immediate completion of the renovation or they would pursue legal action.
Speaking to newsmen on behalf of the parents, Apostle Israel Inana wondered why a contract that was awarded for over six months ago could not be completed, arguing that if it were a contract for a government building it would be completed in three months. “I feel like weeping now. It is time for political campaign. How do you think that parents from this school will vote, when their children are not taken care of?"
“We want the state government to find out what is happening at this school because our children cannot suffer the same way they did last year,” he stated.
Inana noted that removed zinc and wood had been carted away but that no work was going on.
Another parent, Queen Orakeme, said the fate of the pupils was hanging in the balance as work has not progressed to put the classrooms in order. Orakeme lamented the oblivious attitude of the Women Affairs Commissioner towards the plight of the parents and children who have been forced to learn in a unsafe environment.
Moving around the dilapidated classrooms, children could be seen working in rooms without ceilings, doors, and windows, despite the severe harmattan cold.
Confiding in SaharaReporters, a teacher at the school stated that the Women Affairs Commissioner is fond of awarding contracts to her sons, relatives, and cronies who know nothing about such jobs and thereafter leave them abandoned.
“We can tell you without mincing words that the commissioner, Betty Efekodha, awarded the renovation contract to her son. [When we make] some noise about the contract, skeletal work will commence and after few days you won’t see anybody working again. Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan is a disappointment to Deltans for not only appointing a failure and corrupt person like Mrs. Efekodha as a commissioner but for also failing Deltans in all ramifications,” she said.
A source at the Women Affairs ministry told SaharaReporters that his boss, the commissioner, is only concerned about amassing wealth for herself.
“She has killed the ministry with her corrupt dealings; whenever she manages to give out contracts to contractors not related to her, she [collects] kickbacks from such contracts. The current renovation job at the Women Affairs primary and nursery school was awarded to one of her sons, which we know, and her intention is that as soon elections commence next month, no attention will be put on execution or completion of contracts anymore."
The source furthered [Efekodha's] major concern is amassing wealth and looting the treasury of the ministry. Visit the Sapele Remand Home and see the monumental failure there.”
When contacted, Efekodha was unavailable for comment.