Kebbi AGILE project suspended due to fraud, award of N8.8bn without gov's conscent --CPS
By Editor
Ahmed Idris, the Chief Press Secretary to Kebbi State Governor,Nasir Idris has said that the state suspended the Adolescence Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project over the involvement of three key officials of the project in fraudulent practices
culpable of undermining the purpose of the innitiative.
CPS Idris said part of the fraud perpetrated by the officers, whom were sacked by the previous administration includes processing the award of contract to the tune of N8.8 billion with neither the consent of the Governor nor significant compliance to Due Process.
He added that the World Bank was equally informed of the unhealthy development and their subsequent suspension so as to enable an unimpeded investigation.
In a statement issued by Idris, reacting to an open letter written by Ahmed Umar and published by Kebbi Trust, titled: "Kebbi State Education Sector At Verge Of Total Collapse As World Bank Set To Divert Approved Fund Earmarked For Kebbi AGILE Project To Sokoto State," he said the state state is aware of significant achievements recorded by Agile project, but there are some loopholes in the initiative that need to be corrected in consonance witht the new administrative's mandate.
He noted in the statement that the AGILE funds from World Bank are not grant but recoverable loan from Kebbi state resources, and such, "We therefore have the obligation to ensure prudent utilization of such meagre resources."
According to Idris, "I am to refer to an open letter by one Ahmed Umar published by Kebbi Trust and to clarify insinuations made by the writer in respect of the above
"For the avoidance of doubt Adolescence Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) is indeed a project inherited from the former Administration and is geared towards improving the quality of Education of the adolescent girls. It is significant to note that three key functionaries of this project were involved in fraudulent practices culpable of undermining the purpose for which Adolescence Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) was introduced and the officers were accordingly suspended by the former Administration. The World Bank was equally informed of the unhealthy development and their subsequent suspension so as to enable an unimpeded investigation. A committee was thus, constituted by the former Administration to address the situation.
" Indeed, the act of serious misconduct perpetuated by the officers is to the extent of processing the award of contract to the tune Eight Billion, Eight Hundred and Eighty Seven Million, Nine Hundred and Eighty Six Thousand, Three Hundred and Thirty Two Naira, Twenty Seven Kobo (N8,887,986,332.27) with neither the consent of the Governor nor significant compliance to Due Process.
" In the prevailing circumstances, I am to affirm that the AGILE project and its operation has not been tempered with and AGILE as a programme is still subsisting in Kebbi State. The suspension of the officers is therefore, without prejudice to the sustainability and performance of the AGILE project.
"Furthermore, Government is determined to consolidate the gains of AGILE projects (even though AGILE is only a complementary outfit in our strive to improve the educational standard) and to look for more avenues that will seek to improve the quality of education and the Girl Child in specific terms.
"It will not be out of place to mention that Kebbi State is in the hands of teachers and as teachers we are committed to improving the educational standard of Kebbi State.
" We are not unmindful of the fact that Adolescence Girls Initiative for Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) project in Kebbi State had attained significant level of accomplishment but with major infractions for which we are determined to correct in consonance with our mandate.
"Meanwhile, Kebbi State is not averse to any developmental strides and would gladly welcome productive suggestions geared toward improving our status.
" To crown it all, it is pertinent to note that the AGILE funds from World Bank are not grant but recoverable loan from our state resources. We therefore have the obligation to ensure prudent utilization of such meagre resources,"Idris said in statement.
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