Why UBEC Critizes State Govts for Not Utilizing the N250b Allocation for Intervention Funds…details
The Universal Basic Education Commission has currently ccriticizd the state governments for not using the N250 billion allocated for intervention funds.
Dr. Aisha Garba, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, has raised concerns that over N250 billion intended for intervention purposes remains unspent in the accounts of the 36 state Universal Basic Education Boards and the Federal Capital Territory.
Garba revealed this on Monday during the inauguration of a three-day Financial Management Training. This training is designed for fund managers from the State Universal Basic Education Boards across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, and includes Directors of Finance and Accounts, Heads of Internal Audit, and Matching Grant Desk Officers. The focus is on the efficient and effective management of the Universal Basic Education intervention funds.
She expressed concern that the fundamental issue lies not just in obtaining the UBE matching grant, but also in the fact that some state governments are not effectively using these funds to enhance infrastructure and improve the conditions for teaching and learning in schools nationwide.
She said, ”The exercise offered me the opportunity to identify some of the lapses associated with the management of the UBE funds at the State level such as slow access of UBE Matching Grant, slow utilisation of the fund, non- compliance with the fund utilization guidelines, diversion of fund, non- deduction and remittance of taxes, non-compliance with the due process in the award of contracts for the execution of basic education projects as well as non-adherence to the approved Action Plan, to mention a few.
“In a bid to address these challenges, which I encountered first-hand, I initiated the review of the Utilisation Guidelines, developed a new template for the preparation of SUBEB Action Plans and approved various capacity building activities nationally and internationally for both UBEC and SUBEB personnel.
“I note with delight that this modest effort, in addition to our continuous engagement for improved practices in this regard, has led to increased access to the UBE fund by States.
“Accordingly, I am glad to inform this gathering that between January June, 2025 (6 Months), the sum of N92.4b being UBE Matching Grant has been accessed by Twenty-Five (25) States and FCT Furthermore, the Commission disbursed N19b being the 2023/2024 Teacher Professional Development (TPD) fund to Thirty-Two (32) States & FCT and N1.5b SBMC School Improvement Programme (SBMC-SIP) fund to 1,147 communities in the 36 States and FCT.
“While the above achievement reflects a significant gain, the basic challenge still remains not only accessing the remaining UBE Intervention Fund, but importantly the slow utilization of the Fund with over N250b still being retained as un-utilized in the coffers of the 36 SUBEBS & FCT-UBEB as at today.
“This training therefore seeks to equip the fund managers with the skills required for making the necessary changes so as to address the challenge from issues of access, to timely utilization as well as effective oversight and accountability at the grassroots. As many of you are aware, this training is not the first of its kind.”