The Federal Government has commended Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for his administration’s consistent adherence to guidelines in executing Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) projects.
The praise came on Wednesday from the North Central Zonal Director of UBEC, Elder Edward Abalaka, during the formal bid opening for the 1st and 2nd quarters of the 2024 FGN/UBEC/SUBEB intervention projects held in Ilorin, the state capital.
Abalaka described Kwara as a pacesetter in compliance with UBEC’s contract execution protocols, noting that the state continues to set an example in transparency and accountability. He urged contractors to follow project specifications strictly, warning that shoddy execution or project abandonment would not be tolerated.
A total of 258 contractors submitted bids for various projects, which include the construction and remodeling of classrooms and VIP toilets, supply of teachers’ and pupils’ furniture, drilling and installation of motorized solar boreholes, and procurement of educational equipment.
Chairman of Kwara State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Prof. Sheu Raheem Adaramaja, said the interventions are designed to improve learning environments and support quality education across the state.
“We expect a competitive bidding process, and we assure you that our evaluation will be transparent, fair, and compliant with procurement regulations,” he said.
Adaramaja also announced that Governor AbdulRazaq had paid the counterpart funds required for accessing the 3rd and 4th quarter interventions for 2024, adding that advertisements for new tenders would soon be released.
Among the planned projects are the construction of 70 classrooms with 35 offices, VIP toilets at 28 sites, remodeling of 110 classrooms, production of 4,652 units of teachers’ furniture and 391 units for pupils, and drilling of motorized boreholes at 11 locations.
Also included are the procurement of a new Toyota Hiace bus for the Quality Assurance Directorate, supply of 170 sets of ECCDE plastic chairs and tables, and implementation of the Safe School Initiative in selected local government areas including Asa, Kaiama, Offa, Ilorin West, and Ilorin South.
The bid opening ceremony was attended by dignitaries including Hon. Yunusa Oniboki of the Kwara House of Assembly (Afon Constituency), UBEC Executive Secretary’s representative Muhammed Mansur Maccido, and the Acting Head of Service’s representative Alhaji Abdulwasiu Alaya.
Speaking on behalf of the bidders, Alhaji Maroof Ahmed described the process as open and transparent, pledging that contractors would deliver quality work in line with the state’s standards.
— Atere Ameenat Abiola,
Press Secretary, Kwara SUBEB
April 30, 2025