By Kula Tersoo
Makurdi
The Benue House of Assembly has vehemently opposed the planned relocation of the National Examinations Council (NECO) zonal office from Makurdi to Ilorin, Kwara state.
A motion moved at the Assembly by Mr. Ianna Jato (PDP-Katsina-Ala), urged the House to condemn the planned relocation of NECO zonal office from Makurdi, the Benue capital to Ilorin.
Jato, who explained how he was informed of the plan, said the decision of the planned relocation took place at a meeting which was held on Wednesday, March 30, 2016.
He expressed surprised that the office in Makurdi was centrally situated at it permanent site, serving Benue, Nasarawa, Plateau, Niger, Kogi and Kwara states without hitches.
The motion was seconded by Mr. Adam Okloho (APC-Adoka/Ugboju) who stated that there had not been a time that NECO complained of any challenge in the state and wondered why the idea of relocating it to any other location would be conceived.
Okloho described the decision as unjust, unfair, illegal and unacceptable to the people of the state.
‘’The present COAS, Lt Gen. Tukur Buratai is current making serious moves to move the same institution to his hometown in Biu, Borno state,’’ he said.
Mr. Matthew Ire (PDP-Oju II), said the relative peace witnessed in the state was enough reason the examination body should remain in the state.
Ruling on the matter, the Speaker, Mr. Terkimbi Ikyange, charged the state Ministry of Education, Science and Technology to liaise with relevant agencies in order to halt the implementation of the plan.
