Those responsible for the de-roofing and shutting up of a government school in Delta State should be prepared to face the consequences, according to the state administration.
An alleged land dealer turned politician de-roofed three blocks of ten classrooms at Sapele’s St Malachy’s Primary School, claiming to have purchased the government school from a specific family in Ugbeyiyi.
Hon Chika Ossai, the commissioner for primary education, issued the warning while leading a delegation to open the school gate, which had been locked for the previous month, warning those responsible to stop.
The commissioner, who was accompanied by the chairman of SUBEB, Hon Sunny Ogwu, the chairman of the Sapele local government area, and security officers, hired a payloader to remove the sand hips that had blocked the school’s entrance.
Ossai, who expressed displeasure with the incident, stated that no one, no matter how powerful, has the right to buy a government school and lock the students and staff outside the school compound, depriving them of access to education.
The commissioner directed security agencies to pursue all those involved in the deal and bring them to justice, stating that the government would not tolerate any criminal purpose that would jeopardize Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s educational policies.
The team was appalled by the actions of people behind the alleged sale of the government school, who allegedly took the students’ seats, other learning tools, and the school’s signpost with them.
Ada Peter
