The House of Representatives has rejected a motion seeking to compel examination bodies such as JAMB, WAEC, and NECO to register students free of charge for the 2023-2024 examination.
This followed the adoption of a motion by Anamero Dekeri (APC-Edo) during plenary in Abuja on Wednesday, October 25, 2023.
Presenting the motion, Dekeri said the removal of fuel subsidy by the government had negatively impacted on most Nigerians, particularly the low income earners.
He stated that profiteers were taking undue advantage of the situation by increasing cost of essential commodities thereby further pooporising the people.
The lawmaker said one of the major challenges of the low-income earning parents was the education of their wards, particularly in the payment of examination fees.
He said with the cooperation of the masses, the federal government was able to deliver Nigerians from a few individuals that took the nation’s economy hostage.
This, Dekeri said, occurred through fuel subsidy payment conduit pipe that has plundered this country’s economy for too long.
He said as a result of the removal of fuel subsidy, the government might have saved approximately NI7 billion daily from a few cartels that had been sucking the poor masses.
The lawmaker added that the government was making plans for permanent and commensurate benefit for poor masses who he said had suffered the effect of fuel subsidy removal.
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In his prayers, Dekeri, urged the Ministry of Education to declare 2023 and 2024 WAEC, NECO, and JAMB examinations registration free of charge.
This, the lawmaker said, would serve as palliative to poor Nigerians.
He also urged the Minister of Finance, Budget, Economic and National Planning to come up with robust framework that would give the poor people sense of belonging in the Nigeria.
The Leader of the House, Julius Ihonvbere, urged the lawmakers to adopt a school in their constituencies to pay the school fees of their constituents.
This was supported by the Minority Leader of the House, Kingsley Chinder.
Alhassan Ado-Doguwa (APC-Kano) however kicked against Ihonvbere’s amendment, while calling for caution, adding that the way the motion was going would put some of the lawmakers in trouble.
“We have been paying this fee at personal level, so I will advise we exercise caution in handling the motion,” he said.
Olumide Osoba (APC-Ogun) said the burden should not be on the Ministry of Education, adding that state governments should also assist.
Afolabi Maruf (APC-Lagos) said only public schools should be included in the free school fees, adding that private schools should not benefit from the gesture.
Some of the lawmakers however pleaded with the Speaker to step down the motion.
Awaji-Inombek Abiante (PDP-Rivers) moved that the motion be stepped down, while Sesy whingan (APC-Lagos) seconded the motion.
When Speaker Tajudeen Abbas put the motion to voice votes, the lawmakers voted that the motion be stepped down.
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