Zamfara State Commissioner for Education Malam Wadatau Madawaki has stated that the administration of Governor Dauda Lawal has settled about 131,000 Euro part of the expenses the state government of Zamfara is owing the University of Cyprus.
State Commissioner for Education Mal. Wadatau Madawaki who stated this in an exclusive interview with Radio France International said the major cause of the problem is the outright disconnection between the finance department, Registry of the University and office of the Vice Chancellor.
He acknowledged that, Zamfara State government knows that Zamfara students studying at Cyrus are faced with serious difficulties as their funding stops abruptly.
He emphasized that after going to Cyprus they realized that there was a communication breakdown hence the financial record before the office of the Vice Chancellor is different with the one owned by the registry and that of the finance department that owns the accurate statistical record of the payment made on behalf of Zamfara students refused to transmit such record to the VC and registry for reconciliation.
He said it was after realizing this communication gap the government wrote a report to notify the University on the payment it has made so far on behalf of Zamfara students which is up to 131,000 Euro. “We have separate payment of 70,000 Euro and another one of 61,000 Euro respectively “.
He stated further that failure of the finance department of the University to update the record of the payment made by the state government resulted to the communication gap adding that the university made a claim that Zamfara state government is owing the university the sum of 900,000 Euro but based on the government’s record the state is owing the University only 400,000 euro.
He added that the university earlier claimed that it has enforces and interest of about 124,000 Euro, but the state government objected to it, hence the problems emanated from their failure to doing the right thing.
He explained further that the state government has made perfect arrangement to abort the occurrence of the incident, noting that as soon as the university verifies the submission made by the state government and revert things would be set rolling.
The Commissioner stated that he has met with the Special Adviser to the Governor on Economic Matters and that arrangements are on the top Gear to ensure that the anomalies regarding their visas, resident permits as well as their upkeep allowances are going to be provided.
He highlighted another challenge that, the government of Cyprus may not renew their resident permits until the portal is open for the students to renew their registration.
He said they have also contacted the Nigerian embassy in Istanbul and that money will be sent to the account of the embassy for them to fly to Cyprus and settle the outstanding logistics of the students.
He assured that since the Governor has agreed to their report, all would be managed within the time frame and the status of the students would be renewed.
