Gov. Makinde gets N3.5bn from World Bank to renovate 105 schools

A N3.5 billion grant from the World Bank has helped the Oyo State Government renovate 105 public primary schools in the state.

Seyi Makinde, the state governor, revealed the information on Friday in Ibadan as he ceremoniously handed checks to representatives of a few of the beneficiary institutions.

Makinde stated that the funding was intended for the reconstruction of primary schools with crucial care, while being represented by his deputy, Mr. Bayo Lawal.

The governor clarified that the construction would start at the same time in each of the 105 schools chosen from the state’s three senatorial districts.

He admonished those in charge of the exercise to avoid doing shoddy jobs but to ensure that all the projects were in accordance with the prescriptions.

He said that doing quality jobs would make the essence of the projects realisable and equally make the general public to appreciate government efforts in the education sector.

“A huge amount of money is being put into this project, and the beneficiaries must pay attention to what is being done in their respective schools.

“The standard must be in accordance with prescriptions, so that our children will take maximum advantage of the facilities government is putting in place,” Makinde said.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Education Intervention, Mr Suraj Tiamiyu, said that the renovation of the 105 approved public primary schools, mostly in the rural areas, was expected to be completed within six weeks.

Tiamiyu said the renovation would include construction of toilets, boreholes drilling among other facilities that would make learning environment more condusive for pupils.

He added that the exercise would be properly monitored for effective delivery to standard and time framework.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the grant support is a World Bank Project under Better Education Service Delivery for All – Additional Funding.

The project is a form of educational grant from the World Bank with Global Partnership for Education aiming to increase equitable access for out-of-school children and improvement of literacy in beneficiary states.

Oyo State and two other states, namely; Adamawa and Katsina were beneficiaries of the grant, which is also seeking to strengthen accountability for results in basic education in Nigeria.

NAN