The Peoples Democratic Party in Benue State has called on Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration to account for N19.18bn in unspent intervention funds allocated to the State Universal Basic Education Board.
The party expressed concern that the substantial funds remained unused despite the poor state of public schools and the need for improved learning facilities across the state.
The PDP’s reaction followed a recent report by The PUNCH, which quoted the Universal Basic Education Commission as identifying Benue as the state with the highest amount of unspent education intervention funds, totalling N19.18bn.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the party’s State Publicity Secretary, Bright Antyo, faulted the state government for failing to utilise the funds to address challenges confronting the basic education sector.
The party described the situation as evidence of a disconnect between the government’s public commitments and the realities faced by residents.
It said, “At a time when children in other states are learning in upgraded school facilities, following the unprecedented resources available to the governments of their states as a result of fuel subsidy removal, the discovery that billions of naira earmarked for basic education in Benue State have remained unspent is nothing short of scandalous.”
The opposition party demanded that the government explain the different allocations received from UBEC and the reasons for the delay in utilising them.
It also requested details of projects approved under the intervention programme, their implementation status and whether the state government had fulfilled the counterpart funding requirements necessary to access the funds.
The PDP further challenged the administration to clarify the status of the N19.18bn and provide assurances that the money would be properly accounted for and used for its intended purpose.
It called for the publication of a comprehensive record of UBEC funds received since Governor Alia assumed office, including counterpart contributions, approved projects, contracts awarded, payments made and outstanding balances.
The party maintained that the availability of education intervention funds should translate into better learning environments for children across the state.
“Governor Alia must understand that public funds are not political trophies to be displayed in government accounts.
“They are resources entrusted to government for the benefit of the people. Money appropriated for the education of Benue children must be put to work to ensure that Benue children have access to quality education,” the statement added.
