…demands signed copy of Executive Order
By Akaha Sule
The House of Assembly standing committee on Primary and Secondary Education, headed by Rt. Hon. Cephas Dyako has queried the legitimacy of Bureau of Education Quality Assurance (BEQA) demanding the signed copy of the Executive Order giving legitimacy to the existence of the Bureau.
This is coming on the hills of a meeting between the Assembly Committee, ministry of Education and Knowledge Management and BEQA and other critical stakeholders today at the assembly complex.
In his address of welcome, the house committee Chairman, Rt. Hon. Dyako noted that the crisis between the Ministry and BEQA has been lingering for the past one year plus and that the committee has been receiving complaints about activities of the Bureau just as there is a petition against the Bureau before them.
He maintained that the petitioners were also invited to the interface alongside other stakeholders like Acting Executive Secretary of Teaching Service Board and President of All Nigerian Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS).
Hon. Dyako read the two recent correspondences from the two rival agencies as well as the petition before the committee from TES B schools, Makurdi saying, the development is hampering growth of the sector in the state which is why the committee has called for the meeting with the hope of laying to rest the impasse.
On his part, the Commissioner for Education and Knowledge Management, Rev. Dr. Frederick Ikyaan when asked said the issue is an attitudinal one as according to him no body or agency has the right to confiscate, tear or burn another agency’s record as is been done by BEQA.
The Commissioner added that there was no need announcing that BEQA is not under the ministry as is done by the Director General of the Bureau, Dr. Terna Francis and that the Governor was clear when he addressed them last year about the mandate of the Bureau.
When asked whether mails or policy issues are handled directly by BEQA or through the Ministry, the DG said some come directly while some come through the Ministry before handing them over to the Bureau.
On the issue of the authenticity of the document before them in the name of Executive Order, the DG maintained that the state Attorney General handed the document to them and even cited gazetted sections in it but admitted it was not signed.
Other members of the Committee including: Hon. Simon Gabo, Solomon Gyilla, Anthony Agom and Shimawua at this point said the document is not valid since it is not signed and as such cannot be tendered anywhere. They therefore demanded a signed copy of the Executive Order before they will continue discussion on the matter, wondering how a document that has not passed through the assembly will be said to be gazetted as quoted by the DG.
On their parts, ANCOPSS state President, Mr. Robert Apir and acting Executive Secretary, Benue State Teaching Service Board (TSB), Mr. Tsea Ahule both pleaded with the committee to help resolve the issue as it is affecting them negatively. According to them, they are caught in between the two agencies of the same government and do not know where to go.
Speaking on behalf of the petitioner: TES B Schools, Makurdi, Barr. Ioryina of Ioryina and Associates told the Committee that they are law abiding citizens and have been carrying out their business in accordance with the laid down rules until the coming on board of BEQA with strange directives which has necessitated their action in order to be guided.
He said they are interested in the development of Education sector in the state and commended the committee for their boldness in settling the matter in truth, saying they should discharge the responsibility without fear or favour.
The Committee adjourned the hearing to a later date to be communicated to parties.
