From Tony John, Port Harcourt

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has berated the state’s Ministry of Education officials for failing to utilise its monthly overheads judiciously, thereby passing unnecessary financial burden to less-privileged parents in the state.

Wike has directed the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Kaniye Ebeku, Permanent Secretary, , Dr. Patricia Ogbonnaya and the Director of Secondary Education, Mrs Mae Solomon, to offer written explanation on the funds collected illegally from parents.

Speaking during a meeting with principals of public secondary schools, Wike also directed the principals to provide written explanations on how they expended unapproved levies collected from parents.

The principals are expected to submit their reports on Friday, January 20, 2017, to the governor’s Chief of Staff. 

Unmoved, the governor has said officials and principals found culpable, after written explanations, would be disciplined.

“I, hereby, direct the Education commissioner, permanent secretary and the director of Education to, within the next four hours, provide written explanations on collection of unapproved levies.

“Tabulate the monies collected. How much was collected?

“How much got to the education ministry? How much was left with the principals? If this is not done, all of you will be suspended. 

“Also, explain how much levies are being charged the students and to which account are the monies paid. Who is the approving authority of such an account?”

The governor  said he will start a cleansing process in the ministry and public schools, to reposition them for greater performance. 

“I will not spare anyone involved in defrauding our parents,” he vowed. 

Governor Wike also said since assuming office, he hasbeen releasing monthly overheads to all ministries, which was suspended by the immediate past administration.

Ogbonnaya and Solomon said they arrived at the levies  following meetings held by top civil servants, Nigerian Union of Teachers and All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS) of the ministry during the immediate past administration. 

They said no formal memorandum was written to Wike to seek his approval for the levies charged.

President of ANCOPSS, Mr. Austin Iroegbu, commended governor Wike for his investment in the education sector in the state.