By Pita Chib, Minna


AS part of its decision to fumigate Markets, Schools, Churches, major streets and institutions,  Niger State Government has asked most institutions to pay for the fumigation

Those hit by this decision are the private schools in the state whose owners have been asked to pay as much as N15,000 for their schools to be fumigated.

A letter obtained by  our correspondent titled, "Emergency Compulsory Fumigation Before Resumption" read, "Sequel to our recent dialogue with NISEPA mandating all schools to be fumigated before resumption, you are hereby informed that as a matter of urgency that Local government chairmen should categorize their member schools into groups A, B, and C (N5, 000, N10, 000, N15, 000).

"Group A = N 15,000, Group B = N10,000
Group C = N5,000.

"The state schedule by NISEPA will be published later for all the LG to be visited. Its compulsory to fumigate our schools, as well as the certificate, will be issued to every school been fumigated, and no school will open on the date of
resumption without been fumigated according to the Ministry of health and state government directives due to the pandemic outbreak of COVIC-19 because it is a general fumigation exercise.

"Therefore, any school that's not a member of NAPPS cannot be part of this relief. Please note schools with larger space and boarding will pay additional fees which is negotiable.

"All local government Chairmen should contact the state president for further clarifications as they prepare their members to list categorized and money."

This stand of the government is being vehemently opposed by the proprietors of private schools across the state as they stated that in as much as public schools are being fumigated, then private schools should also be fumigated without being charged.

In other quarters, some of the private school owners accused the state Ministry of Environment and the state Environmental Protection Agency (NISEPA) for trying to cut corners and make money for themselves during this period.

Some of the school owners who spoke to our correspondent pleaded that their names should not be quoted as they fear the government may use the case against them and their schools.

One of the private school owners in Bida said that the COVID-19 pandemic is not their making and they do not know why they should be made to pay for the fumigation which should ordinarily be government social responsibility.

"Other states are not paying, why should we now pay in Niger state? We are all at home, we are not making money while sitting at home. Where do they want us to get money to pay for this fumigation? why is the government just being heartless to us?"

Another private school owner in Kontagora stated that the private schools in the local government area have already decided that they are not going to pay, "the worst they will do is not to fumigate the schools, they should leave it. Even before the government came up with its fumigation exercise, we, as private schools, have already been doing our own fumigation. They should leave us to do our fumigation ourselves."

The Chairman of Niger State Chapter of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Mr. Femi Alalade,  when contacted explained that before the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been calls for private schools to fumigate their environment and fees was allocated for it.

According to Alalade, the association still remains unclear as to where this fumigation falls under, adding that if it is the normal fumigation, then the government can wait until schools resume.

He said that his members are against this new directive and have vowed not to pay saying that his members allude that the COVID-19 fumigation should be the responsibility of the government as it is for the good of everyone.

"My members are complaining. Before this closure of schools, a lot of the members did not collect school fees, some have not even paid staff salaries, how do you now expect them to pay this amount when they are at home and the schools are closed?

"I can tell you that before the closure of schools, there was a demand notice of all private schools to fumigate their schools but we feel that since it is regarding the COVID-19 and public schools are selected, then private schools should not be exempted."

When asked about NAPPS stand, the state Chairman said, "if it is on coronavirus, it is a global pandemic and we should not be made to pay for it. It should be for the benefit of everyone. If public schools are being fumigated, then private schools should be included without charge.

"So as NAPPS, we are saying that we are not supposed to pay for the COVID-19 fumigation exercise because it affects everyone and all organizations and institutions."

One of the Proprietors identified as Jonah Gana also took to the social media to launch his complaint in a post which read, "We appreciate the efforts of the Niger State Government in her attempt to fumigate markets, churches, mosques, schools and other public areas in an attempt to contain the spread of COVID-19. It is highly commendable to be socially responsive.

"But we are disturbed to hear that private schools will pay up to N15,000 before their schools can be fumigated. I hope it is not true. If it is, I want to appeal to the government to rescind the decision.

"Not in this period of school closure and lock-down. In the spirit of the moment, let all public areas, public or private, be fumigated free of charge. Let us not add injury to hunger. May God bring healing to the world in such a time like this."

A Source in the government told our correspondent that the government has stated that it did not have money to cover the fumigation of markets, schools, residential streets, religious houses and other institutions across the 25 local government areas of the state which is the reason why the private schools have been told to pay.

All efforts to reach the Secretary to the State Government, Ahmed Matane who is also the Chairman of the COVID-19 Taskforce in the state proved abortive for he did not pick his calls as at the time of filing this report.

Also the numbers of the General Manager of the state Environment Protection Agency (NISEPA) and the Commissioner of Environment were
unavailable.