The Minister of Education, Mallam Adamu Adamu said over N7 Billion was spent by the Federal Government to boost the security for 108 unity schools between 2017 and 2018. Adamu made the assertion yesterday in Abuja, while addressing the media on policies, programmes and other Government activities in the education sector.
He said the Government provided basic security infrastructure in the schools due to the security challenges in the North East caused by Boko Haram as well as incidents of kidnapping in parts of the country.
“Against the backdrop of insecurity in the Northeast, occasioned by Boko Haram as well as incidents of kidnapping in parts of the country, the Federal Government has decided to provide basic security facilities in our Unity Schools,” Adamu said.
The Minister disclosed that during the period, government provided perimeter fencing in the schools, CCTV cameras within school premises, as well as street lights powered by solar systems and modern security gates, among others, were also put in place.
He also noted that in the 2017 budget, the federal government made a provision of N5 billion for security infrastructure project to be provided in 65 unity schools. While in 2018, a total of N2.025 billion was provided by the Federal Government for the provision of the facilities, of which 39 schools benefitted.
Adamu further revealed that the Ministerial Tender Board (MTB) has approved the awards of contracts for provision of security facilities, adding that contractors are expected to commence operations in the coming weeks.
The Minister, who gave a breakdown of schools to benefit from the intervention, explained that the press briefing was also part of efforts by the Government to be accountable to Nigerians, adding that it will keep the people abreast of what the current administration was doing to improve infrastructure in unity schools.
