2027: Opposition politicians use videos, photos of dilapidated schools as blackmail – Mariere

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2027: Opposition politicians use videos, photos of dilapidated schools as blackmail – Mariere

The Delta State government has vowed it would not allow disgruntled politicians to blackmail it because of the 2027 governorship election.

The resolve may not be unconnected to a video of some pupils sitting on the floor at Eghreka Primary School, Ewu in Ughelli South local government area of the state.

Executive Chairman, Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, Emmanuel Mariere, disclosed on Wednesday in Asaba, stating that those from the opposition video and takes the pictures of dilapidated schools and use them to blackmail the present administration.

While vowing to commence the demolition of bad structures in schools or see if they can be converted to staff quarters, he maintained that the board will demolish every bad and dilapidated structures that are not being used, especially because of the danger it poses for children

The Chairman disclosed that from the Needs Assessment recently carried out by the board, some of the schools need more furniture to actually cater for the 1,141 primary schools in the state but not enough for blackmail.

The Chairman disclosed that out of this figure, 30 per cent is to be re provided as a result of destruction by members of the community where these schools are located but that the video are being used to blackmail as a result of 2027 election.

Mariere said to provide further securities, the board will provide accommodations for staff. “If they stay there, the destruction will reduce. Or convert those classes in excess in some schools to staff quarters.

“It is political, l am a politician. We know where our enemies are. To blackmail the state government. To discredit many achievements of the state government. They are aware the Government is making waves. How to puncture the educational achievements is their plan?

However, Mariere observed that in some cases, these seats are brought for use during burials and football matches and are never returned to the classrooms after use thereby exposing them to theft, rain and harsh weather.

“While in some cases these furniture are maliciously destroyed to make money by selling the iron frames of the seats to scavengers (iron condem). Then of course, those destroyed by the pupils. The board will henceforth demolish every bad structure that has not been used.

“This is outside the provision made by other MDAs especially the Ministries of Primary and Secondary Education through the constituency projects of the Honourable members of the State House of Assembly and corporate organisations.

”In terms of infrastructure, 234 new classrooms were constructed, comprising 162 delivered by Delta SUBEB under the 2024 UBE Intervention Fund and 72 completed by the Delta State Government (DSTG). In addition, the DSTG had 24 classrooms still under construction as at the end of the reporting period. These interventions substantially reduced congestion, provided safer and more conducive environments for learning, and opened opportunities for enrolment expansion in both rural and urban schools” he stated..