The Federal Government has hailed Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq as a model of compliance and efficiency in the execution of Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) projects, describing his administration as a pacesetter in project delivery.
This commendation was given by UBEC’s North Central Zonal Director, Edward Abalaka, during the formal bid opening for the 2024 1st and 2nd quarter FGN/UBEC/SUBEB intervention projects in Ilorin, the state capital.
Abalaka noted that Kwara had consistently adhered to the rules guiding contract execution under the UBEC programme. He urged contractors to align with project specifications and warned that substandard work or abandonment would not be tolerated.
The event, which saw 258 contractors bidding for a range of projects, followed advertisements in local and national newspapers, underscoring the administration’s commitment to transparency. Projects under the intervention include the construction and remodelling of classrooms and VIP toilets, fabrication of furniture for pupils and teachers, installation of solar-powered boreholes, and procurement of essential educational equipment.
Chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Professor Sheu Raheem Adaramaja, emphasised that the projects were vital to improving learning environments, promoting educational quality, and supporting both students and teachers. He assured that the evaluation process would be transparent and compliant with procurement regulations.
“As we move forward, I encourage stakeholders to work together to ensure that these projects are delivered efficiently, effectively, and to specification,” Adaramaja said.
He further disclosed that Governor AbdulRazaq had recently paid the counterpart funding required for accessing the 3rd and 4th quarter interventions for 2024. A fresh round of bidding for additional projects is expected soon, including the construction of 70 classrooms, 28 VIP toilets, the remodelling of 110 classrooms, fabrication of thousands of furniture units, installation of boreholes in 11 locations, and procurement of a Toyota Hiace bus for quality assurance operations.
Other projects include the provision of 170 sets of ECCDE plastic chairs and tables and a safe school initiative targeting select schools across Asa, Kaiama, Offa, Ilorin West, and Ilorin South local government areas.
Adaramaja commended Governor AbdulRazaq’s unwavering support for education and the productive collaboration with UBEC in enhancing learning infrastructure in Kwara.
Speaking on behalf of the bidders, Alhaji Maroof Ahmed praised the process as transparent and pledged that contractors would deliver quality work in line with specifications.
The bid opening was attended by several dignitaries, including Hon. Yunusa Oniboki of the Kwara State House of Assembly; representative of UBEC Executive Secretary, Muhammed Mansur Maccido; and representative of the state’s Acting Head of Service, Alhaji Abdulwasiu Alaya.
