17/03/2026
BENUE LAWMAKERS CONDUCT OVERSIGHT VISIT TO GWER-EAST LGEA; VOW CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR BASIC EDUCATION
In a move to strengthen accountability and assess the impact of educational reforms under the administration of His Excellency Gov Hyacinth Alia, the Benue State House of Assembly Standing Committee on Basic Education conducted an official oversight visit to the Gwer-East Local Government Education Authority (LGEA) on Monday, March 16, 2026.
The delegation was led by the Committee Chairman, Hon. Elias Terumbur Audu, who represents the Gwer-East State Constituency.
R Receiving the distinguished members, the Education Secretary (ES) of Gwer-East, Mrs. Stella Mwuese Tarka, JP, expressed gratitude to the Speaker of the 10th Assembly for appointing a representative of Gwer-East to lead such a pivotal committee.
Mrs. Tarka noted that the visit provided a critical opportunity for lawmakers to gain firsthand knowledge of the operational realities within the LGEA. She specifically highlighted the positive shifts in the sector to including:
- Staffing Boost: The successful employment and deployment of over 300 new teachers to the LGEA.
- Infrastructure Pipeline: The commencement of two major projects directed by SUBEB, with eight additional headteachers recently trained in project monitoring for upcoming contracts.
- Visionary Leadership: Tarka credited Dr. Grace Adagba for the strategic revitalization of public basic schools under her leadership at SUBEB.
She, nevertheless, highlighted critical challenges despite the recent progress recorded under the Alia administration. The Education Secretary did not shy away from the "gross shortage" of personnel and the deteriorating state of infrastructure.
"While we thank His Excellency, Governor Hyacinth Alia, for the recent recruitment, the extended employment gap before his intervention remains a hurdle. We still have schools manned by as few as three teachers," Mrs. Tarka stated, urging the committee to address the deficit in both teaching and administrative staff.
In his remarks, Hon. Elias Audu emphasized that the visit was a "fact-finding mission" designed to ensure that the significant resources channeled into the state's budget for basic education are yielding tangible results.
"It is the duty of the House to ensure accountability and enhance development through regular oversight," Hon. Audu said. He assured the LGEA staff that the current year’s budget maintains a heavy focus on the education sub-sector, especially at the basic sector, promising that full implementation would bring much-needed relief to rural schools.
The Chairman, accompanied by the Committee’s Vice Chairman and other key members, held an interactive session with LGEA staff and union leaders. The session focused on documenting feedback and recommendations to improve the sector's efficiency.
The oversight exercise concluded with a physical inspection of the LGEA Secretariat and visits to several local schools to assess the condition of learning facilities.
Present at the reception were:
Mrs. Stella Mwuese Tarka, JP (ES, Gwer-East), Education Secretaries of Konshisha and Gwer-West LGAs as well as Management staff and Union Leaders of the LGEAs.
Reported by:
Tingir, Theophilus Terver
Information Officer, Gwer-East LGEA

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