Mbah: Why We Built 268 Smart Green Schools Across Enugu State

…Assures defects will be addressed

…Threatens to blacklist contractors over defects

Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Mbah, has defended the construction of 268 smart green schools across the state, assuring residents that structural defects and other challenges identified in some facilities will be addressed.

Mbah gave the assurance during a town hall meeting, where he explained that the state government deliberately adopted an accelerated approach to the construction of the schools to ensure that every child in Enugu had access to quality education.

According to the governor, the scale of the projects delivered within three years would ordinarily take between 10 and 20 years to accomplish under conventional implementation timelines.

He acknowledged that the speed of execution had resulted in some teething problems, including defects in certain buildings and roofing challenges, but maintained that the government was committed to ensuring that all the facilities were fit for purpose.

“When you have fast-tracked projects at that scale, you are bound to have teething problems, and we are not oblivious of it,” he said, adding that the government was resolved to address the identified shortcomings.

Mbah explained that the decision to build 268 smart green schools was driven by the administration’s determination to expand access to quality education rather than concentrate resources on a few model institutions.

Participants at the Town Hall meeting

He said the government could have opted to construct only three smart schools, one in each senatorial zone, or 17 schools across the state, but chose a broader approach to reach more children.

“We said every child in this state must have access to quality learning, and we did 268 smart green schools,” the governor stated.

He stressed that the administration would not abandon the projects because of the defects identified, adding that corrective measures were already part of the government’s response.

The governor’s remarks come amid concerns over defects reported in some of the newly constructed school facilities.

He maintained that the administration remained committed to ensuring that the projects delivered their intended educational benefits to pupils across Enugu State.

Mbah Threatens to Blacklist Contractors Over Defective School Projects

Governor Mbah also warned contractors handling the state’s smart green school projects that they will face consequences for failing to address defects in their work.

Mbah gave the warning while responding to questions about structural defects and other problems reported in some of the 268 smart green schools constructed by his administration.

The governor said the government had records of the contractors responsible for the projects and would require those whose work was found defective to return to their sites and carry out necessary repairs.

He, however, warned that contractors who refused to comply with the government’s directives would be blacklisted.

“For those that have been recalcitrant, we blacklist. And there are consequences for that,” he said.

Mbah explained that although the projects were executed on an accelerated timeline to expand access to quality education, the fast-tracked approach did not absolve contractors of responsibility for the quality of their work.

He also disclosed that the government obtained advance payment guarantees from the contractors, providing an additional mechanism for enforcing compliance where necessary.

“We do have an option to call those up if it becomes necessary,” the governor said, referring to the guarantees.

The administration has come under scrutiny over reported defects in some of the newly constructed school buildings, including roofing and other structural concerns.

Mbah acknowledged the existence of such challenges but described them as issues the government was determined to resolve.

He said the overriding objective was to ensure that all the smart green schools were fit for purpose and capable of providing the learning environment intended by the state government.

The governor’s comments signal the administration’s intention to hold contractors accountable while continuing its investment in education infrastructure across Enugu State.