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By Yusuf Salihu Sansani, Jalingo
A dispute has erupted between the Taraba State Government and a contractor, Omas, over a N24 billion contract for supply of school uniforms and instructional materials as part of the Free Education Programme of the State Government.
The contract covers the supply of 100,000 units each of math sets, drawing books, sportswear, School bags, shoes, vests, raincoats, uniforms, tablets with Bluetooth keypads, 200,000 pairs of socks, 2.2 million notebooks, and 100 enrollment data kits and software.
The State Government accused the Contractor of failing to deliver items worth the N10 billion already paid while the Contractor said it has supplied more than the amount paid and suspended further deliveries due to unpaid balance.
In response to the posture of the contractor, Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas set up a verification Committee, led by Secretary to the Government of the State Barr. Gebon Timothy Kataps, to assess the quantity, quality, and value of the delivered items in comparison to the payments made.
In a letter dated January 13th, 2025, Omas claimed it had delivered 75,000 sets of uniform, 50,000 school bags, and pairs of shoes each, 5,000 tablets and Bluetooth keypads, with most items currently in Jalingo but withheld due to non payment.
Dr. Augustina Godwin, Commissioner for Primary and Secondary Education, confirmed that the disagreement triggered the formation of the verification Committee, which temporarily delayed distribution.
She noted that two additional trucks of the school items recently arrived in Jalingo, but their contents are yet to be verified saying that the Government awaits the report of the committee before resolving the dispute commencing the distribution of materials to schools across the state.
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