By; MOHAMMED KAWU, Bauchi
Chairman of Bogoro Local Government Council in Bauchi State, Iliya Habila, has bemoaned that the only boarding Government Secondary School (GSS) in his area is in a state of total disrepair.
According to the chairman, the structures, including the staff quarters of the school where the programmes are being held are so dilapidated that they are not befitting of habitation of animals.
Habila, in his welcome address at the flag off of distribution of empowerment kits under the Kaura Economic Empowerment Programme (KEEP) to 500 residents of Bogoro Local Government Area
The council chairman explained that the Bogoro local government area has suffered neglect by previous administrations, and appealed to the governor to urgently rescue the school from total collapse.
He said: “Your Excellency sir, the venue of this auspicious event is the only boarding public secondary school in the local government. Its dilapidation symbolizes the injustice meted to our people in the past.
Habila added, “The whole school needs urgent and total renovation. Apart from the administrative block, all structures, including staff quarters, are in a sorry state not befitting of even animal habitation”.
“But in you we are hopeful that the condition will be reversed and our children will have an atmosphere conducive for learning and teaching”.
He expressed gratitude to the governor for his swift intervention when flood wreaked havoc on the council roads and farmlands recently.
Habila pointed out, “Were it not for your intervention in providing palliative measures, the road leading to the Local Government Headquarters would not have been accessible for today’s event. We thank you for that.”
“The General Hospital, Bogoro, too, needs urgent rehabilitation as well as equipping. The challenges here are many, but now that we have a governor that truly loves us, we cannot hide them”, he boosted up.
Meanwhile, Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has expressed shock that despite huge resources that his administration has been spending to rehabilitate and construct schools across the state, there are pupils still learning under trees.
The Governor, while on his way to Bogoro LGA for the distribution flag-off of KEEP empowerment materials, saw pupils of Dajin Community Primary School located along Dawaki – Pankshin road in Tafawa Balewa LGA, learning under trees and stopped.
The governor who addressed the pupils, teachers and residents who had gathered there, described the situation as unacceptable in view of his efforts to improve the education sector.
He therefore directed the State Ministry of Education to immediately begin the construction of classroom blocks within the next two weeks.
“I am surprise to see that despite the huge resources government is spending in the education sector to renovate and build schools, there are still pupils learning under trees in Bauchi state.
“This is unacceptable to my administration and considering what we are doing, this will not be allowed to continue”, he frowned.
He stated, “I therefore direct the Ministry of Education to immediately commence the construction of classrooms here within the next two weeks.
A community leader in the area, Bala Mai-Hoto, told the governor that the lack of educational infrastructures is discouraging them from enrolling their children into school.
He expressed gratitude to the governor for stopping at the place and for issuing the directive for the construction of classrooms for the community.
