We’ve spent N1.6bn on lecturers’ salaries, subventions, says Kwara Education Commissioner
Sa’adatu Modibbo-Kawu, Kwara State Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Science and Technology, has disclosed that the state government had spent about N1.592 billion to clear backlog of salaries, arrears and subventions of tertiary institutions in the state.
Modibbo-Kawu, said this in Ilorin, the state capital, on Wednesday, during the inauguration of the Visitation Panel to International Aviation College.
She said, “On assumption of office a year ago, the Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, immediately approved the payment of 7 months salaries to the Colleges of Education (Ilorin, Oro, Lafiagi); and the College of Arabic and Islamic Legal Studies, owed by the last administration; cleared arrears of subventions and accreditation fees, to the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) and National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) for some of the institutions; as well as the payment of subventions to the schools. These amounted to One Billion, Five hundred and Ninety-two Million, Nine Hundred and Twenty-one Thousand, Two hundred and eighty-seven Naira, Twenty – Eight Kobo since May 2019, till date.”
Meanwhile, the state Ministry of Tertiary Education, Science, and Technology has also recently concluded the Needs Assessment for the Tertiary Institutions in the State.
The panels are expected to work with the Ministry, NCAA, Federal Ministry of Aviation, and other regulatory bodies, as well as the Unions or Staff representatives, among others.
Sa’adatu Kawu, in her response, said, “I wish to seek your cooperation and sincerity of purpose for this assignment so that the yearnings and aspirations of the Visitor, the people of Kwara State and others who have chosen Kwara State Polytechnic and indeed, all stakeholders be actualized.”
She promised the Ministry’s support at all times, to bring about the strategic transformation of the institution, in line with 21st century standards.
Speaking earlier on behalf of the Visitation Panel to Kwara State Polytechnic, Dr. Fatai Bello, commended His Excellency, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, for finding members of the panel, worthy of the appointment, and promised to put in their best, in the interest of the State.
