Rivers State governor,  Nyesom Wike has called for the amendment of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Act to accommodate the funding of senior secondary education across the country.

This is even as the governor announced that the Rivers State Government will flag off the renovation of 174 primary schools in the state.

Wike spoke yesterday when members of the House of Representatives Committee on Basic Education and Services, paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Port Harcourt.

He stated that rather than establish another commission to cater for the infrastructural needs of senior secondary schools, UBEC should be empowered by law to handle such issues as it will be more economical  for the country.

The governor said, “The amendment  of the UBEC Act to accommodate senior secondary education was started by the last administration, but it was not concluded. I therefore  call for the amendment of the UBEC Act to ensure that the commission undertakes the funding  of senior secondary.

“When we came on board, we discovered that the immediate past administration did not access UBEC funds because of the  failure to pay counterpart funds. We have paid the counterpart funds and accessed N5.6billion. By Thursday, we will flag off the total rehabilitation of 174 primary schools across the state. These schools will also be furnished.”

Wike, who stated that his administration is re-positioning basic education to secure the future of the state, regretted that though some states claim they have made primary education their top priority, it is worrisome that such states leave  their UBEC funds unaccessed.

The governor informed  the committee that the state government has written to the Federal Ministry of Education to take over two federal schools in Ogu in Ogu/Bolo local government area and Aluu in Ikwerre local government areas of the state.

He stated that the two schools have been overgrown  by weed after  they were completed by the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.