The Delta State Universal Basic Education Board (D-SUBEB), says it has completed 90 per cent of its approved projects.
The board also said that contractors were being paid through official channels.
The Executive Chairman of the board, Mr. Samuel Mariere, disclosed this while briefing newsmen on Thursday in Asaba.
According to Mr. Mariere, the board’s mandate is clear: expand access, improve quality, and uphold strict accountability in basic education across Delta.
Mariere addressed allegations of contractors being compelled to pay monies, stating that no gratuity in any form was paid to him or any member of D-SUBEB leadership in connection with projects award, certification, or payment.
Mariere said, ”Our board’s mandate is clear: expand access, improve quality, and uphold strict accountability in basic education across Delta.
”The purpose of today’s briefing is in twofold: to address and firmly rebute recent allegations targeted at my person and at the leadership of D-SUBEB; and to present in detail, the board’s results in the third quarter.
‘More than 90 per cent of all projects approved by the Procurement Department for this cycle have been completed, and all involved contractors duly paid through official channels, ” he said.
He further said: ”Payments are processed strictly by due process, following verification, certification, and established financial controls. No Gratuities to officials.
”No gratuity of any form, financial or otherwise, was paid to me or to any member of D-SUBEB leadership in connection with project award, certification, or payment.”
He also said that the board met with contractors, staff, and stakeholders, finding no proof of unauthorised or illegally collected funds outside the agreed Bills of Quantities.
His words: ”Also, there are no complains from contractors either officially or unofficially even during our meeting on Aug. 19, they all expressed satisfaction.
”To remove doubts, we convened an emergency contractors’ meeting, recorded in attendance, where multiple contractors were present.
”The contractors publicly confirmed that no money, percentage deduction, or any gratuity was ever requested by or paid to the Executive Chairman or any SUBEB official for project award, certification, or payment,” he said.
Mariere said that the testimonies of the contractors awee on record as evidence.
”Our processes are governed by the Federal Procurement Laws. Documentation shows competitive tendering, bid evaluations, due-diligence checks, and formal contract awards.
”The procurement department reported aw-compliant procedures and ongoing performance monitoring to keep delivery on spec and on time, ” he said.
Mariere also disclosed that recent audits indicated improved adherence to controls and value-for-money delivery among others.
According to him, we also encourage contractors and community stakeholders to keep reporting any perceived irregularity directly to the Audit and Procurement units for immediate action.
He said that D-SUBEB was committed to transparency and accountability in its operations.
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