Jigawa Opens Bids For N7.1bn Basic Education Projects

Jigawa State government, through its Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), has opened the bidding process for projects worth over N7.1 billion.

At the bid opening, the executive chairman of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Prof. Haruna Musa, said the projects were part of the 2024 UBEC/SUBEB intervention initiative.

He said the projects, to be executed across the state’s 27 local government areas, aligned with Governor Malam Umar Namadi administration’s determination to reform basic education by creating an enabling environment for teaching and learning.

“The projects for which we are opening bids are targeted at improving our schools’ infrastructure, which is key to enhancing the education sector,” he said.

“Basic education is regarded as the foundation. Various initiatives, including community participation and proactive engagement of mothers, are among our strategies to tackle out-of-school children, learning poverty, and to improve learning outcomes in the state.”

The chairman noted that the projects to be awarded include: the renovation of 556 classrooms damaged by windstorms, the construction of 157 new classrooms, and the procurement of 32,212 student and teacher seats.

“Other projects are the construction of 30 four-compartment toilets, 30 hand pumps, and 190 plastic tanks to enhance sanitation and hygiene in the schools,” Prof. Haruna stated.

He then assured contractors of a fair and transparent selection process. He also warned that the board would not hesitate to terminate any contract found to be compromising on quality or breaching key aspects of the agreement.

The chairman further assured them of the Jigawa State Government’s commitment to abiding by all contractual agreements, particularly the timely payment for any contract accompanied by a clearance certificate.

Speaking on behalf of the participating contractors, a representative of A B Zanga   Construction Company, Abubakar  Zanga, thanked the Jigawa State Government for the opportunity to participate in the exercise, which he noted was conducted transparently.

The contractors also assured the government that any winning company would execute a quality job.