Thread by @SERAPNigeria

SERAP has filed a lawsuit asking the Federal High Court to compel governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State to explain the disparity between budgetary allocations to primary education and the reality that several of the around 1,124 primary schools across the State are in shambles

The schools have very poor teaching facilities. Tens of thousands of Nigerian children are being left behind & their futures put in jeopardy. These children are being short-changed & they deserve to know how much exactly has the governor spent b/w 2015 to date, on their education

Joined as Defendants in the suit are the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) and Delta State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).
@GovIfeanyiOkowa @DSGovernment

In the S/N FHC/L/CS/803/2019 filed last Friday before the Federal High Court in Lagos, SERAP argued: The refusal by the governor, UBEC and SUBEB to respond to SERAP’s FOI requests can only be construed to mean denial of the information sought.
@GovIfeanyiOkowa @DSGovernment

We shouldn’t have to ask for the information on spending on primary schools in the state. The poor conditions of primary schools across the state would seem to suggest that the government has abandoned poor children in Delta state.
@GovIfeanyiOkowa @DSGovernment

The evidence of education deficit in the state is further buttressed by the case of Success Adegor, who was sent home because her parents couldn't pay the illegal sch fee/levy of N900 & the insufficient & poor-quality education infrastructure of Okotie-Eboh Primary Sch 1, Sapele.

We seek an order of the court granting leave to apply for judicial review and to seek an order of mandamus compelling governor Okowa, UBEC and SUBEB to provide to SERAP details of disbursement and spending of UBEC funds disbursed to the Delta State government.

The governor, UBEC and SUBEB have nothing to lose if the information is released to SERAP and members of the public. It is in the interest of justice that the information be released.
@GovIfeanyiOkowa @DSGovernment

Unless the reliefs sought are granted, the governor, UBEC & SUBEB will continue to be in breach of the Freedom of Information Act, and other constitutional and statutory responsibilities. The information is needed to verify and establish the truth about the spending on education.

There must be accountability for the massive budgetary allocations to primary education in the state, including the funds provided by UBEC. Providing the requested information will also allow the citizens to track the level of execution of education projects in the state.

Access to information held by public authorities is a fundamental element of the right to freedom of expression guaranteed by Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution of 1999 (as amended) and vital to the proper functioning of any democratic system.
@GovIfeanyiOkowa @DSGovernment

We seek an order of the court for disclosure of details of budgetary allocations and actual spending by govt between 2015 and 2019, including specific projects carried out to improve access to free and quality primary education in the state, the locations of such projects

We also seek disclosure of details of reports, if any, made to UBEC by the govt on projects carried out to improve access to free and quality primary education b/w 2015 & 2019, the locations of such projects & the primary schools that have benefited from the projects.

We seek an order of the court for disclosure of details of the steps the government is taking to improve the overall welfare of children in primary schools across Delta State as well as details of the government’s fee-free programme, if any, across primary schools in the State

We seek an order for disclosure of details of the steps the UBEC is taking to ensure improvement of the overall welfare of children in primary schools across Delta State, details of specific projects by the UBEC to improve access to education for children with disabilities

We seek an order for disclosure of details of disbursement by the UBEC and SUBEB to the Delta State government and actual spending by the government on primary school education monitored, including projects carried out to improve access to free and quality primary education