By Bassey Bassey
Uyo The Akwa Ibom Government says it has taken over seven secondary community schools in the State.
The state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Charles Udoh, announced this while briefing newsmen on the outcome of the State Executive Council meeting in Uyo on Thursday.
Udoh explained that the gesture would allow the students in the affected schools to benefit from the free basic education policy of the state government under Gov. Udom Emmanuel.
The commissioner listed the schools to include Community Technical College, Ikot Udoe-Ikot Ekpene, Urban High School, Ikot Akpan Essien- Oruk Anam, Excellence Comprehensive Secondary School, Ikot Unya-Mkpat Enin.
Others are Migrant Secondary School, Emereoke – Eastern Obolo; Community Comprehensive Secondary School, Ekeya – Okobo, Union Secondary School, Ibiaku – Ibiono Ibom, Community Secondary Commercial School, Urua Obot/Ikot Atasung /Ikot Obong Otoro-Ikot Ekpene.
Udoh said government was committed to the provision of quality education for its citizens, hence the takeover of these community secondary schools.
He added that such takeover would allow for provision of solid infrastructure, personnel and sound management for the schools to meet the expected standard.
The commissioner government had also approved the implementation of a comprehensive insurance scheme for transport operators in the state.
Udoh said the insurance scheme was meant to cushion the effect of losses incurred by transporters in event of accident on the road.
He said the scheme would be funded through a five per cent deduction from the daily revenue generated from purchase of tickets by tricycle, bus and taxi operators in the state.
“The idea of the scheme is to ensure that their losses are taken care of in event of accident.
“Five per cent of daily receipts on tickets will be remitted to the insurance company, which will bear part of the risks in case of accident”, Udoh explained.
The state executive council also adopted rural development master-plan, where resources would be channelled to execute 150 development projects in the rural areas.