Niger Assembly directs LGs to allocate funds for education infrastructure

The Niger State House of Assembly has directed the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to ensure that local government councils allocate 5 percent of their monthly allocation to the Local Government Education Authority, LGEA, as running costs.

The House said the decision is aimed at addressing the infrastructural challenges facing public primary schools in the state.

This position was reached following a motion move by Muhammad Sani Idris, member representing Tafa constituency, calling on the Niger State Government to prioritize the maintenance of structures in public primary schools.

Idris highlighted the importance of maintaining public primary schools in the state, noting that “the current state of these schools is a reflection of the neglect they have suffered over the years”.

He insisted that the allocation of 5 percent of monthly allocation to LGEA would go a long way in tackling infrastructural challenges facing the schools.

The House unanimously adopted all the prayers, which include directing all LGs to constitute and make functional the LGA and District Education Committee by providing regular sitting allowance and necessary operational support in line with Section 10 of the NSUBEB Law.

They called on the Niger State Universal Basic Education Board, NSUBEB to design and implement a comprehensive routine maintenance plan for all public schools in Niger State, with clear responsibilities for state, local government and community stakeholders.

The lawmakers also mandated the Education Committee and Local Government Committee to convene a tripartite meeting involving the Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of Education, NSUBEB, Local Government Education Councils, Secondary School Education Board, and LGEA to discuss the issues and come up with suitable modalities for resolving them.

The Speaker, Abdulmalik Mohammed Sarkin-Daji, who presided over the plenary, then directed the Clerk of the House, Mallam Farouq Umar Isah, to transmit the resolution of the House to the executive.

Niger Assembly directs LGs to allocate funds for education infrastructure