Senate Ad-hoc Committee investigating the collapse of the Safe School Initiative has summoned the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, to appear before it on Tuesday next week.
The Ad-hoc Committee, chaired by Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (Abia North), said the summon followed the adoption of its work plan during its maiden meeting at the National Assembly.
Senator Kalu added that other critical stakeholders expected to appear include the Minister of Education, Mr Tunji Alausa; the Minister of Defence, Lt-Gen Christopher Musa; the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Dr Mohammed Abubakar Audi; and representatives of school proprietors.
The Committee Chairman assured that the Senate would uncover all issues surrounding the initiative’s implementation and ensure full accountability.
He noted that over 1,680 schoolchildren have been kidnapped and 180 educational facilities attacked since 2014, describing the situation as unacceptable for a nation committed to educational development and child safety.
Senator Orji Promised that the committee will track every naira and every dollar allocated to the Safe School Initiative , some of which were the $30 million mobilized between 2014 and 2021 aside the latest N144billion released for the initiative by the federal government.
” Nigerians deserve to know why, despite enormous investment and global support, our schools remain unsafe .”
He further said the committee will undertake a comprehensive financial and operational audit, engaging federal ministries, state governments, security agencies, and civil society partners.
The committee according to him, owes Nigerian parents the responsibility to guarantee that their children can pursue education without fear just as he stressed that the probe is not targeted at any individual or institution, but aimed at strengthening accountability and transparency.
Areas of investigation according to him, are (i) Utilisation of funds allocated since 2014, ( ii) Deployment and effectiveness of security personnel, (iii) Early warning and emergency response systems, ( iv) Infrastructure upgrades in vulnerable schools and ( v) Partnerships with international donors and private-sector contributors.
The investigation follows fresh national outrage triggered by the recent abduction of 25 female students from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State and over 200 others in St Mary Catholic School in Niger State.
Cov / Bashir M
