From Uche Nnorom, Makurdi
Benue State government and proprietors of schools in the State have continued to battle the issue of over taxation
This is just as government planned demolition of over 2000 public and private schools.
Most of the schools to be demolished are private which the government alleged have failed to meet specified building standards.
At a meeting convened by the Director-General, Benue State Education Quality Assurance, BEQA Dr. Terna Francis said they are taking proactive steps to avoid schools collapse in the State especially with the recent incidences in Abuja and Plateau State.
“The first step to sensitize stakeholders on the need to ensure that they adhere strictly to laid down standards in building.
“So, those who are operating in such structures should move to a better one. We are not going to demolish immediately, we want to give them time so that at the end of the day, we do not lose our life. The GM Urban development has asked them to present their building plans from now to the end of September.
“As it is now, we have identified 2,416 schools that do not have the approval of the Benue State government to operate and so far we have only cleared only 150 and they have given certificate of consent. We are calling on others to come and do the right thing.“
