Benue State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), yesterday, took a bold step towards transparency and accountability in the execution of its projects, as it flagged off the public opening of bids for the SUBEB/UBEC intervention fund from matching grant under the 1st to 4th quarter 2002 to 1st to 4th quarter 2003.
In a ceremony attended by contractors, and representatives of regulatory bodies, the Executive Chairman of SUBEB, Grace Adagba, emphasised the board’s commitment to transparency and accountability in the execution of its projects.
She said Benue SUBEB was the only SUBEB that had announced coordinates and locations of intended projects, which was proof of transparency in the whole process.
Adagba stressed the need for contractors to ensure all projects were executed to specifications and timely too, while assuring the process was going to be the most transparent ever to be witnessed in Benue State.
She commended Governor Hyacinth Alia, for his timely release of counterpart funding, which was a testament to his passion and zeal for development in the education sector as well as the entire state.
Commissioner for Education and Knowledge Management, Frederick Ikyaan, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Agbo Ochekpe, highlighted the significance of the public opening of bids, noting that it was a collective resolve to implement projects and policies with transparency, accountability, and adherence to the highest standards of quality and ethics.
The ceremony was attended by members of the board and management staff, the Chairman, House Committee on Education, Cephas Dyako, the UBEC State Coordinator, Idzi Baba, the UBEC Supervisor of Projects, North Central Zone, Isah Yakubu, representatives of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Bureau of Public Procurement, and the Nigerian Institute of Builders.
In their separate remarks, the representatives of UBEC and financial institutions present dwelt extensively on the fact that standards must be maintained, and adequate sanctions will be meted out to contractors that do not perform in accordance with set guidelines.
Responding on behalf of the contractors, Emmanuel Chia thanked the governor, the SUBEB chairman, and all those involved, while praying that the board will fulfil its mandate of ensuring only deserving contractors get awarded, and the process is carried out transparently as promised.
The highlight of the event was the symbolic opening of bids for matching grants under the 1st to 4th quarter 2002 and 2003, which marked a new beginning in transparency and accountability in the execution of SUBEB projects.