The Abia State Universal Basic Education Board (ASUBEB) has started the open bidding process for the 2024 and 2025 Universal Basic Education (UBE) Intervention Projects across the state.
The exercise is aimed at making sure the process is fair, transparent and properly managed, while ensuring that Abia children get better classrooms, learning materials and other educational facilities.
Speaking during the opening of the bids, the Executive Chairman of ASUBEB, Amb. Ezihe Lydia Onuoha, said the exercise was an important step towards improving basic education and providing children with safe and better places to learn.
She explained that the UBE Intervention Grant is meant to help states meet important needs in basic education. She said the projects would include building and renovating classrooms, providing desks and other school furniture, textbooks, teaching materials, ICT equipment and other facilities needed to improve learning.
Amb. Onuoha said the projects are part of the education development plans of the Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, which focus on better school facilities, improved teaching, the use of technology, accountability and better learning results.
She praised Governor Otti for his support for education, especially for providing the state’s required counterpart funding. She said this has helped Abia access and use the UBE funds for important projects in schools.
She also thanked the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) for its continued support and partnership with Abia State in developing basic education.
According to her, the projects will cover all 17 Local Government Areas of Abia State. They will include the construction and renovation of classrooms, provision of desks and other furniture, textbooks, teaching materials, ICT facilities and other school infrastructure.
The ASUBEB Chairman described the projects as an investment in the future of Abia children, teachers and communities. She assured the people that the Board would ensure that the projects meet the required standards.
“Abia deserves quality projects that are completed on time and according to the approved standards. We will not lower our standards because every classroom, desk and learning material provided is an investment in the future of our children,” she said.
She also assured contractors that the bidding process would follow the relevant government procurement laws and regulations. She said contractors would be assessed based on their ability, experience, capacity, honesty and ability to provide value for money.
Amb. Onuoha urged contractors to be professional and responsible throughout the bidding and construction process. She said ASUBEB would continue to promote openness, accountability and quality work in its efforts to build a better basic education system in Abia.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr Aisha Garba, represented by the UBEC Coordinator, Lady Unyime Umoette, praised Governor Alex Otti for his efforts to improve education in the state.
She reminded contractors and other participants that the bidding process must follow the approved rules and procedures. She urged successful contractors to obey all the terms and conditions of their contracts.
Lady Umoette called on contractors to do their work honestly, professionally and responsibly, noting that the main beneficiaries of the projects are children and future generations.
She also warned contractors against using poor-quality materials or carrying out substandard work. She said every child in Abia deserves a good education and a safe environment for learning.
The representative of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Umuahia Branch, Engr. Prof. Nelson Omuka, thanked ASUBEB for inviting the Society to take part in the bid-opening exercise.
He said the involvement of professional bodies showed that ASUBEB was committed to an open process and to ensuring that the projects meet the required technical standards.
Prof. Omuka urged contractors handling construction and engineering projects to work with relevant professional and regulatory bodies and ensure that all projects are carried out according to approved standards and specifications.
In his vote of thanks, Engr. Chuks Uduma praised ASUBEB for conducting the bidding process openly and fairly.
He commended the Executive Chairman and members of the Board for following due process and said contractors were ready to work with the government to deliver quality projects that would benefit communities across the state.
One of the major highlights of the event was the official opening of the bid box by Chief Mrs. J. O. Kalu. This marked the beginning of the public opening and review of bids submitted by contractors interested in carrying out the projects.
The event was attended by the Full-Time Board Member I, Dr Onyebuchi Onyegbule; Board Member II, Deaconess Nwachi Nwogwogwo; Board Member III, Hon. Harrison Onuke; representatives of the ICPC, Civil Society Organisations, Nigerian Society of Engineers, contractors and other stakeholders.
The exercise further showed ASUBEB’s commitment to ensuring that funds meant for basic education are properly used to provide better schools, learning facilities and improved educational opportunities for children across Abia State.
