Education: Lawmaker warns against neglect of infrastructure

By EGUFE YAFUGBORHIE

PORT HARCOURT—AS Rivers State House of Assembly, RVHA, commits the State 2013 Appropriation Bill to Committees’ appraisals, the member representing Obia/Akpor II, Michael Chinda, has urged the state government to guard against neglect of old educational infrastructure.

At the second reading on the budget bill, Chinda noted that the loud interest of the current administration in establishment of several fresh educational institutions, particularly basic and model secondary schools across the state, was being fulfilled without corresponding revival of existing structures inherited by the government.

He said: “There is no doubt the new schools are outstanding in terms of standards and quality. But the old schools also belong to the state and are also attended by children of the state.

“The old schools are dying with all concentrations directed in building new ones. We must ensure that 2013 budget addresses the revival of the old schools.”

In other concerns over the 2013 proposals, Chioma Golden, representing Etche Constituency, called for clear provisions for revival of the ailing Fire Service Department of the state to enhance its readiness when called to duty.

In similar contribution, Martins Amehule (Obia/Akpor I) saw oddity “in the absence of special provision to address post flood assistance to thousands of affected victims”, tasking the house to ensure that the issue is addressed in the eventual budget passed.

The RVHA has before it a proposed N490.32 billion bill to review and pass for the 2013 fiscal year as proposed by Governor Rotimi Amaechi on the eve Christmas last year.