Local
Delta: Group Flays Withdrawal Of Security From Pry Schools
By Nosa Akenzua
The withdrawal of security men from public primary schools in Delta State has elicited strong reaction from a group of stakeholders which on Friday described the move as unpopular and against the objective of good governance that the state government espouses.
The Concerned Parents of Primary School Children in Delta in a statement made available to GWG tasked the government to reverse the decision as it could show the government to be working against the interest of school children.
The group in a communiqué issued at the end of an emergency meeting in Asaba stated categorically that “after a very careful and meticulous review of government recent decision, the body was at a loss over why government which recently won a second term in office and pledged to take the welfare and security of Deltans as priority could wake up within a month of such promise and take such anti-people decision especially now that we have so much insecurity in the land”
The communiqué signed by Messrs Frank Okeke and Onoriode Omovudu, proteem Chairman and Secretary respectively also flayed the government for taking a decision of such magnitude without giving reasons for their action.
They therefore declared “we the Concerned Parents of Primary School Children in Delta hereby give a 14 – day ultimatum to Governor Okowa to direct the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) to immediately withdraw the letter by returning all the security men to their former place of work or be ready to face any decision that will be taken shortly”
The contentious letter from the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) and addressed to some heads of primary schools in the State and obtained by our correspondent reads in parts; “I am directed to refer to the above subject and to inform you that the aforementioned security men attached to your school are henceforth withdrawn back to SUBEB Headquarters, Asaba. Please note that the withdrawal is with immediate effect.”
The letter was signed by one Mr. Okolie Uche on behalf of the Executive Chairman of SUBEB and was dated 17th June, 2019.
While Deltans awaits official response from government as to why the decision was taken, investigation by our correspondent revealed that the decision may not be unconnected with the recent Federal Government Policy Statement directing the Accountant General of the Federation to release money directly to all the 774 Local Governments Areas of the country without such passing through the various State Governors thereby giving fillip to the long awaited implementation of the local government autonomy in the country.
Secretary to the State Government ( SSG),Barr Chiedu Ebie in a swift reaction said the state government was looking into the issue with a view to ensuring peaceful coexistence in the state.
He said that the decision to withdraw security personnel from Primary School was informed by their nonchalant act , saying that the Okowa led administration was determined to protect the lives of pupils and students across the state.
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