The Taraba State free education programme has suffered a setback as a dispute has emerged between the state government and Omas, the major contractor tasked with supplying school uniforms and instructional materials for the schools.
The duo is engaged in a disagreement over a N24 billion contract that also includes the provision of 100,000 units each of math sets, drawing books, sportswear, school bags, shoes, vests, raincoats, uniforms, tablets/Bluetooth keypads, 200,000 pairs of socks, 2.2 million notebooks, and 100 school enrollment data kits/software.
While the Taraba State government alleges that the contractor (Omas) has failed to deliver goods commensurate with the over N10 billion already paid, the contractor claims it has supplied materials exceeding the payments received and has withheld further deliveries due to outstanding debts.
LEADERSHIP Friday gathered that the contractor was required to source products from China, a situation critics argued that engaging local tailors could have boosted the state’s economy and created more jobs.
LEADERSHIP further gathered that, in response to the impasse, Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas has established a Verification Committee, chaired by the secretary to the state government, Barr. Gebon Kataps to investigate the quantity and quality of delivered items and assess their alignment with payments made to the contractor.
Our correspondent also gathered that in a letter dated January 13, 2025, the contractor reportedly delivered 75,000 of the 100,000 uniform sets, 50,000 school bags and shoes each, and only 5,000 tablets/Bluetooth keypads. Most items were reportedly in Jalingo but held back due to payment concerns.
Dr Augustine Godwin, Taraba State commissioner for primary and secondary education, when contacted, revealed that the committee set up by the SSG was set up to come up with
beneficiaries and various schools will benefit from the items.
Also confirming the report, the secretary to the Taraba State government, Bar Gibon Kataps, said he has already completed his assignment, and the committee‘s report is ready and waiting for presentation.
„Assignment completed, report ready and will be submitted any moment from next week,” Kataps stated in his SMS.
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