By Obiageli Nwankwo
The Anambra State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Ekene Ogugua, has expressed grave concern over the rising incidence of vandalism of government-owned facilities. He assured that the state government would intensify intelligence gathering and bolster security around public assets to address the menace.
Dr. Ogugua made this known on June 5 during a familiarisation and fact-finding tour of agencies under the Ministry of Education, including the Education Resource Centre (ERC), Okpuno, and the Examination Development Centre (EDC), Amawbia.
Accompanied by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Ifeoma Agbaizu, the Commissioner inspected facilities at both centres and described the extent of neglect and destruction caused by vandals as alarming.
At the Education Resource Centre, Okpuno, Dr. Ogugua observed that the once-functional facility had become virtually moribund due to years of vandalism and abandonment. He stated that the state government would explore the possibility of rehabilitating and refurbishing the centre to restore it to productive use instead of allowing it to remain dilapidated.
The Commissioner, who was taken on an inspection tour of the facility by the Officer-in-Charge of the ERC, Mr. Joseph Offor, directed him to prepare and submit a comprehensive report on the current condition of the centre to the Ministry for necessary evaluation and further action.
During the inspection, the commissioner reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to safeguarding public assets and ensuring that facilities established for educational advancement are shielded from further destruction.
Dr. Ogugua also assured the management of the centre that their concerns would receive prompt attention. He emphasized that the government would not allow critical educational facilities to deteriorate or remain exposed to criminal elements.
He stressed that public infrastructure represents substantial government investment and is the collective property of all citizens. He urged communities to take ownership of such facilities by protecting them from vandalism and unlawful occupation.
At the Examination Development Centre, Amawbia, the Director of the Centre, Mrs. Ebele Ononihu, disclosed that the facility has been the target of persistent vandalism. She observed that the security personnel deployed to the centre are unarmed, thereby constraining their capacity to adequately safeguard government property.
The inspection tour forms part of the Commissioner’s ongoing efforts to evaluate the operational status of agencies under the Ministry of Education and identify areas requiring urgent intervention to enhance service delivery across the education sector.
Obiageli Nwankwo is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
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