The Bayelsa State Ministry of Education has categorically dismissed as unfounded and misleading the allegations that contractors engaged in various school projects across the state are being shortchanged or subjected to illegal financial deductions.
The Ministry emphasized that the claims, which have been circulated in some quarters, are deliberate attempts to misrepresent the government’s transparent efforts in the education sector.
Speaking on the matter in Yenagoa, the state capital, the Director of Finance and Accounts in the Ministry, Mr. Joe Sikpi, addressed the concerns publicly.
He stressed that the insinuations being spread are entirely baseless and designed to undermine the credibility of the state government’s commitment to educational development.
According to him, there is no truth in the claims that contractors are being unfairly treated or that funds meant for school infrastructure are being siphoned through unlawful deductions.
Mr. Sikpi explained that all deductions applied to contractors’ payments are official, statutory charges that are not only lawful but also standardized across all ministries and government agencies in Bayelsa State. He provided a detailed breakdown of these deductions to set the records straight. They include:
7.5 percent Value Added Tax (VAT)
2 percent Withholding Tax (WHT)
3 percent Bayelsa Infrastructure Maintenance (BIM)
1 percent Education Development Trust Fund (EDTF)
1 percent Stamp Duty
1 percent Supervision Levy
These statutory deductions cumulatively account for 15.5 percent of the total contract sum and are in line with state and national financial guidelines governing public sector contracts.
Sikpi noted that these deductions are essential for maintaining fiscal discipline, supporting infrastructure maintenance, and contributing to education and public service development funds.
He further reassured the public that payments to contractors are processed with strict adherence to due process, ensuring that no contractor is deprived of their rightful earnings. The financial processes within the Ministry, he added, are transparent, accountable, and regularly audited to prevent any form of corruption or malpractice.
Providing an update on the state of educational projects, Mr. Sikpi disclosed that numerous school construction and rehabilitation efforts are underway across the state.
Significantly, six newly constructed secondary school buildings have been completed and officially commissioned in key communities such as Igbogene, Biogbolo, Ekeki, Ovom, and Akenpai.
These projects, according to him, demonstrate the state government’s unwavering dedication to improving the educational infrastructure and ensuring that students have access to quality learning environments.
Mr. Sikpi also highlighted that these completed projects are part of a broader strategy by the Bayelsa State Government to uplift the standard of education and equip future generations with better facilities.
He reiterated that Governor Douye Diri’s administration prioritizes education as a fundamental pillar for the state’s development, and this is evident in the ongoing investment in the sector.
He concluded by urging the public to disregard misinformation and to rely on verified facts from credible sources regarding the state’s education projects.
He affirmed that the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with other relevant agencies, remains committed to transparency, accountability, and the successful execution of all educational initiatives in Bayelsa State.