Abigail Isaac
The Federal Government has approved an upward review of the National School Feeding Programme of the State Public Primary Schools from N70 a plate of food to N100.
Dr Godwin Akpan, the Akwa Ibom State Focal Person for National Social Investment Programme said this while addressing newsmen at the Akwa Ibom State College of Education, Afaha Nsit, shortly after the matriculation of the institution.
Akpan said the upward review cost of meals per pupil came on the heels of economic realities and the current high cost of living in the country.
He assured that the new feeding rate would commence upon school resumption in September, adding that before the end of the last academic session, the feeding fee was N70 per pupil.
“The Federal Government has been magnanimous enough to our pupils in Akwa Ibom State. You know our last payment for the just concluded last term was still normal N70 per child, but last week, the Minister for Education informed us that Mr President, Muhammadu Buhari approved N100 per child. So, by September, we are going to have N100 per child for the school feeding,” he assured.
He appealed to all food vendors serving in various schools to adhere strictly and comply with the new price.
The Akwa Ibom State Vocal Person also hinted that a monitoring and evaluation team has been put in place to ensure that the quantity and quality of food served by vendors are in consonance with the new price rate.
“We have put in place all the things needed to address any upcoming challenge(s) that could affect the programme.
“We are appealing to our cooks to please ensure that once money is released to them, they should deliver on their assigned duty sufficiently.
“We have put in place a robust monitoring and evaluation team as it’s not going to be business as usual when we resume for the new academic session”, he admonished.
He also appealed to FG to capture all the 1,165 public primary schools in its programme, lamenting that out of which only 600 primary schools are captured in Akwa Ibom State.
Also, Akpan who is equally the National Deputy President, University of Uyo, Uyo (Uniuyo) Alumni Association and National Secretary, Conference of Alumni Association of Nigerian Universities (CAANU) while congratulating the matriculating students urged them to work assiduously to ensure they reach the finishing line ceremoniously.
Akpan who is also the Governing Council member, Akwa Ibom State College of Education (COE) Afaha Nsit, hailed the State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel for the indelible footprints he is making at the college.
He further lauded the contributions of the governor, especially in the area of infrastructural transformation. Akpan disclosed that he has spotted a facility within the campus that could serve as one of training centres for N-Power Participants, and shall make moves to ensure the facility is adequately utilized.
His appreciation equally went to the Management team of the Institution led by the Provost, Daniel Udo, and the Governing Council chaired by Hon. (Barr.) Bassey Dan Abia jnr, Academic and non-academic staff for their commitment to ensuring the Institution ranks top in the comity of Colleges of Education in the country.