REPORTER: UCHE NDEKE
The Anambra State House of Assembly has raised concerns over deficiencies in rural teacher distribution, infrastructure and the accuracy of school data maintained by the Anambra State Universal Basic Education Board, ASUBEB.
The lawmakers, however, commended the Board for its progress in classroom rehabilitation and the provision of instructional materials across the state.
The House made its position known when the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, Mr Noble Igwe, presented the Performance Audit Report on ASUBEB during plenary at the legislative complex.
Presenting the report, Mr Igwe said the audit assessed the Board’s efficiency in delivering quality basic education, infrastructure development, teacher recruitment and fund management across the 21 Local Government Areas.
The committee recommended stronger internal controls, prompt release of funds, continuous recruitment and incentives for teachers in rural areas, as well as regulation of high fees charged by government-assisted mission schools.
The House, sitting as a Committee of the Whole, considered the report and unanimously adopted it as a working document. The motion for its adoption was moved by Mr Ejike Okechukwu, representing Anaocha Constituency 2, and seconded by Mr Augustine Ike, representing Nnewi North Constituency.
The lawmakers also considered another report by the Public Accounts Committee on the Performance Audit of Primary Health Care Services in Anambra State.
While acknowledging progress in infrastructure upgrades, the committee identified critical gaps, including shortages of qualified healthcare personnel such as doctors, nurses and midwives, inadequate medical equipment and shortages of essential drugs.
The report also identified irregular water and electricity supply in healthcare facilities, as well as weaknesses in internal controls relating to the utilisation of funds, including the Basic Health Care Provision Fund and the Anambra State Health Insurance Agency, ASHIA.
The committee recommended the immediate recruitment and equitable deployment of healthcare personnel, prompt release of funds, improved maintenance frameworks and stronger oversight to safeguard public health investments across the state.
The motion for the adoption of the Primary Health Care Audit Report was moved by Mr Golden Iloh, representing Ihiala Constituency 2, and seconded by Mr Patrick Okafor, representing Onitsha North 2 Constituency.
The House subsequently unanimously adopted the report as a working document.
The Speaker, Mr Somtochukwu Udeze, who presided over the plenary, earlier announced that Anambra State would host the South-East Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures in Awka, with the theme, “Legislative Review and Standardisation of Procedures across South-East States.”
