Illiteracy is largely marked by negative vices visible in electoral processes when decision “to vote” and “be voted for” are made by the masses. Education helps to decide whom to vote for in order to make positive differences in the economy of a country. Being educated helps in deciding why to vote for a particular party over the other. To further strengthen the narratives of good governance and democracy, Follow The Money team during its data mining session found out that the Construction of 3 Classrooms and Office with Verandah at Furfuri Model Primary School,  Bungudu, Zamfara has been tendered by the State’s Universal Basic Education Board.

The campaign #ErectFurfuri has been kicked off to monitor and evaluate the judicious implementation of the project. All concerned stakeholders especially the Zamfara State Universal Basic Education Board are expected to swiftly make available details of this project and uphold public interest through being liable and transparent in the usage of the funds that have been allocated for this project.

We implore the general public to participate fully in demanding that the project is thoroughly implemented by joining us on www.ifollowthemoney.org  

 

Follow the Money Team Paid a Visit to the Chairman of the State SUBEB

30 April 2018: As part of FTMs engagement in Zamfara State, the team paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman, Zamfara SUBEB, to request for the details of the current education Projects in the State. The visit was also to request a reply to the FOI submitted to the Board that had not been replied. The meeting spiraled into other issues concerning Teachers Welfare and engaging sessions on proffering solutions to the lingering educational crisis in the State.

Find the report here.

Follow the Money Team Observed Some Red Flags in Project

29 April 2018: There is a huge controversy with regards to the allocation of this project. As observed on site, there are two different ongoing projects, one from UBEC and the other from SUBEB. Both the UBEC and SUBEB are two- 2 classrooms and office (some with verandah). On the tender list, it is said to have a block of 3 classes, office and verandah, yet this project did not physically appear in the ongoing school projects, even though it is in the SUBEB contract list, given to one Abbas Marafa General Enterprises, and was awarded 11,733,789.85 Naira.

Similarly, all the SUBEB projects are said to be constructions, but on site, they are renovations and were awarded 7,594,321.35 Naira, each.

Also, the team observed that only two classes P5 & P6 has sitting chairs and pupils sit on the floor in the remaining classes, and no provision of fence, library and ICT Centre in the school.

The Women Leader Also Highlighted Some Challenges Facing the Community

29 April 2018: The community women leader, Hajiya Hadiza Abubakar also highlighted a number of issues affecting the community which include the lack of good health care facility as women in the community constitute 65-70% of the population yet, many women suffer and even lost their lives in trying to reach the hospitals in Bungudu or Gusua, especially during labour. She also added that; they need schools for women in the community.

Women Leader Highlights Their Success in Advocating for Reducing Out of School Children

29 April 2018: The community women leader, Hajiya Hadiza Abubakar, highlighted the success recorded in their efforts to reduce out of school children in the community, saying that parents are becoming enlightened on the implication of keeping their children out of school and hence they have recorded a large turn out of pupils in the school.

District Head Representative Commend the Follow the Money Team

29 April 2018: Speaking on behalf of the District Head, Alh. Usman Ibrahim commended the effort of the Federal Government in tackling corruption and Connected Development for their resilient effort in Following The Money for transparency and accountability. He, however, urged the team to work on observations made during the visit to the project site and explain to the community what is expected of them.

Follow the Money Team Gathered That the School was Recently Opened for Operation 

29 April 2018: The team gathered that the school was re-opening from the shut down as a result of heavy winds. The government, donor agencies and the community are doing their best to re-fix the buildings. Currently, the school has 9 functional classes with ongoing four additional classrooms and has a population of 1583 pupils, managed by 22 teachers.

CODE Embarks on Community Outreach For #ErectFurfuri Campaign

29 April 2018: FTM team led by the CEO, Mr Hamzat Lawal stormed Furfuri community in Bungudu Local Government for a community outreach on the #ErectFurfuri campaign. Furfuri is a village, 20 kilometres (approximately) from Gusau the state capital and with the help of the head teacher Mr Aminu Samaila the team went around the school to inspect the ongoing projects.

Find the report here.

Freedom of Information Request Sent to Zamfara SUBEB

18 April 2018: In order to access the contract document and furthermore provide technical oversight on the ongoing project, the team visited the SUBEB office in Zamfara to Submit the Freedom Of Information letter to the board’s Chairman. The letter was received and acknowledged, and the community reporter exchanged contacts with ZASUBEB Chairman’s Personal Assistant as we await their response.

Find the letter here.

Two Construction Work Is Currently Ongoing In The School

17 April 2018: Presently, construction work is ongoing in the school premises, but to further strengthen the narrative and ascertain the level of work done, the assistant headteacher and some members of the community disclosed to the team that there are two ongoing projects in the school, the renovation of classrooms by Zamfara SUBEB and the construction of the additional classes by the Federal Government.

The School Assistant Headmasters Claimed School only Have Two Functional Classrooms

17 April 2018: According to The school assistant headmaster, the population of the school is approximately 960 pupils with only two functional classrooms.

Zamfara Follow The Money Team Embarks On A Preliminary Visit

 

17 April 2018: Follow The Money team embarked on a preliminary visit to Furfuri Model Primary School, Bungudu LGA, Zamfara State over the #ErectFurfuri campaign which involves tracking of the Construction of 3 Classrooms and office with verandah at Furfuri Model Primary School. Reports here.