FG constitutes audit panel on utilization of take-off grants to 12 new federal universities

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Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu

ABUJA (Education Ministry’ Report)- The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu has constituted a seven-man high-powered Committee to audit the utilisation of grants for the take-off projects in the 12 new Federal Universities established between 2011 –2013.

This is contained in a statement released to the Press, signed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry.

According to the statement, the former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Olufemi Bamiro will serve as the Chairman with Barr. Kefas M. Magaji as the Secretary of the Committee. Other members of the Committee include: Mr. S. L Abubakar, Engr. Mansur Ahmed, Arc. Umar Aliyu, Mr. Freddy Esenwa and Prof. Patrick Ehi Oshio.

“The 12 New Universities are: Federal University Lokoja, Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Federal University Dutse, Federal University Dutsin-Ma, and Federal University Gusau. Others are Federal University Kashere, Federal University Gashua, Federal University Birnin-Kebbi, Federal University Lafia, Federal University Otuoke, and Federal University Wukari”, it revealed.

The statement further read the terms of reference for the Committee’s assignment as follows: To determine the actual amount released to the NUC by TETFund as take-off grant for projects for the twelve universities; To identify and confirm the number contracts awarded, including contract sums under the take-off grants; To ascertain that due process was followed in the award of the contracts for the take-off projects; To determine the amount paid on each project, including outstanding claims if any, to date; To assess the status of the various projects implemented using the take-off grants; To make recommendations for any other issues relating to projects implementation in the 12 Universities.

The Committee which will be inaugurated by the Minister of Education will take place on Tuesday May 2, 2017, at the Minister’s Conference Room, Federal Ministry of Education Complex at 2.00pm.

The Vice-Chancellors of the new Twelve (12) Universities, Executive Secretaries of the National Universities Commission and Tertiary Education Trust Fund are expected to attend the inauguration.

“The Committee is expected to complete their assignment in twelve (12) weeks”, the statement said.