Reps Takes Decision On Motion To Make WAEC, NECO, JAMB, Others Free For Nigerian Students (DETAILS)

Reps Takes Decision On Motion To Make WAEC, NECO, JAMB, Others Free For Nigerian Students (DETAILS)

On Wednesday, the House of Representatives dismissed a proposal urging the federal government to cover the costs of all secondary school examinations for the 2023/2024 academic year as a means to mitigate the impact of fuel subsidy removal.

The motion, presented by Anamero Dekeri (APC, Edo), suggested that the federal government should bear the expenses for WAEC, NECO, and UTME examinations for all students.

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Following an extensive debate on the House floor, the motion was ultimately rejected by the lawmakers.

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In presenting the motion, Mr. Dekeri highlighted that the removal of the petroleum subsidy has significantly affected low-income earners in the country, who now face increased expenses for transportation and other essential services. He argued that with the savings generated from the subsidy removal, the government should allocate a portion towards aiding families.

“With the cooperation of the masses, the federal government was able to deliver Nigerians from a few individuals that took the nation’s economy hostage through fuel subsidy payment conduit pipe that has plundered this country’s economy for too long.

“As a result of the removal of fuel subsidy, the government may have saved approximately (NI7, 200,000,000.00) seventeen billion two hundred million naira only, daily from a few cartels that have been sucking the poor masses,” he said.

He requested the House to call upon the Ministry of Education to declare the registration for WAEC, NECO, and JAMB examinations in 2023 and 2024 to be free. This, he argued, would ensure that the average citizen directly benefits from the palliatives resulting from the removal of fuel subsidies.

Furthermore, he appealed to the lower House to encourage the Minister of Finance, Budget, Economic and National Planning to establish a comprehensive framework that provides a sense of inclusion for the impoverished masses in Nigeria.

House Leader, Julius Ihonvbere (APC, Edo), opposed the motion entirely and instead proposed an amendment wherein each member would adopt schools in their respective constituencies and cover the associated costs.

However, Alhassan Doguwa (APC, Kano) rejected Mr. Ihonvbere’s amendment, stating that some members are already covering examination fees for their constituents.

The amendment was then subjected to a vote, presided over by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, and it was rejected through a voice vote.

Olumide Osoba (APC, Ogun) introduced an amendment suggesting that state governments take on the responsibility.

Morruf Afuape (APC, Ogun) also proposed an amendment specifying that the benefit should apply exclusively to public schools.

Both amendments by Messrs Osoba and Afuape were adopted by the House following a voice vote.

However, Awaji-Inombek Abiante (PDP, Rivers) argued that excluding private schools from government policy is discriminatory and contrary to the spirit of the country’s Constitution.

“We have taken an oath not to go against the constitution, and excluding some people would be discriminatory,” Mr Abiante said.

He, therefore, moved a motion for the entire motion and the amendments to be stepped down by the House.

Mr Abiante’s motion was adopted after it was put to vote by the speaker.

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