Executive Chairman of the Delta State Universal Basic Education Board (D-SUBEB), Hon. Samuel Oghenevwogaga Mariere, has strongly denied allegations that contractors were compelled to pay kickbacks for projects under the board.
Speaking at a press briefing on Thursday at the D-SUBEB headquarters in Asaba, Mariere described the claims as “false, malicious, and baseless.”
He said, “At no time have I, or any member of the Board’s leadership, demanded or received gratuities, kickbacks, or any payment, cash or in kind, from contractors, vendors, or partners doing business with D-SUBEB. Our leadership operates on a zero-tolerance policy for corruption, consistent with the Delta State Government’s accountability drive and the broader objectives of the UBEC framework.”
He was reacting to reports that contractors were allegedly forced to part with sums ranging between ₦100,000 and ₦300,000, remitted through staff of the Planning, Research and Statistics Department.
Mariere, however, insisted that no such practice existed, adding that, “I have taken time to meet with all contractors and staff at the D-SUBEB headquarters, and I saw no proof of any unauthorized or illegally collected fund outside the agreed Bills of Quantities. There are no complaints from contractors, either officially or unofficially.”
He disclosed that the Board had convened an emergency meeting with contractors on Tuesday, 19 August, where “multiple contractors publicly confirmed that no money, percentage deduction, or gratuity was ever requested by or paid to the Executive Chairman or any SUBEB official.”
The SUBEB boss also disclosed that the state government budgeted ₦7.1 billion for SUBEB in 2025, out of which contractors were awarded projects worth at least ₦60 million each, with 90 percent of payments already made.
Presenting achievements from the board’s report to the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Mariere said enrolment across public basic schools in the state stood at 821,827 learners, with 507,050 of them directly benefiting from SUBEB interventions this quarter.
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On teacher development, he disclosed that 5,511 teachers had been trained through various programmes, including School-Based Training, Jolly Phonics, and Head Teacher Leadership.
He further stated: “We delivered 162 new classrooms, renovated 491, constructed 164 VIP toilets, and provided five solar-powered boreholes. We also supplied 16,834 classroom furniture units and distributed 167,707 textbooks.”
Mariere also revealed plans to absorb qualified community teachers into rural schools across the state, providing them with training to bridge manpower gaps. “At present, we have 216 community teachers in Delta. We intend to formalize their roles in underserved areas and give them professional training,” he said.
Highlighting digital learning efforts, Mariere noted that the Orogun SMART School had been equipped with smartboards, tablets, and e-learning labs, while 1,843 tablets, 28 laptops, and 64 interactive boards were deployed to other schools.
He appealed to traditional rulers, parents, and other stakeholders to support government investments by protecting school facilities from damage. “We are urging communities, especially in rural areas, to see government property as their own and to educate our people on the dangers of vandalism in our schools,” he said.
He said the board had also made strides in inclusivity, with over 2,000 out-of-school children re-enrolled, and Braille, hearing devices, and mobility aids provided for learners with special needs.
“Let me be absolutely clear: 90 percent of approved projects have been completed; all contractors are duly paid. No gratuity or illicit payment was requested or received by me or any member of D-SUBEB,” Mariere stressed.
He invited civil society, UBEC, and the media to verify SUBEB’s records, adding, “Our processes are documented, auditable, and open to independent verification at any time. We will not be distracted by falsehood. Our focus is on classrooms, teachers, textbooks, safety, and results for Delta’s children.”
