The worst is yet to be heard of the Delta State government under the watch of Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, as he has directed schools to be shutdown in Asaba metropolis ahead of the 2022 National Sports Festival to be hosted by the state from November 28.
It was gathered that the decision to close schools may not be unconnected with inability of the state government to complete the hotels for athletes as scheduled.
As at today Monday November 28, the hostels facilities in Issele-Uku, Ogwashi-Uku, Dennis Osadebey University, Anwai, Anglican Girls Grammar School (AGGS) and West End Mixed Secondary Schools are yet to be completed.
Following the lapses, the state government decided to keep the athletes in classrooms by shutting down schools despite preparations by students for the first term examination.
A source disclosed that the Itinerary of the places to camp the athletes are West End, AGGS and Dennis Osadebey University.
The source noted that male and female hostels are currently at the decking level, as the first floor of the storey building has not been started.
It was reliably learnt that following the inability of the government to complete the projects, athletes would be moved to Government Model Secondary and Asagba Mixed Secondary Schools.
It was gathered that the main bowl in the stadium has no toilet facility, the water system is equally not working, however cleaners have been employed to flush after the athletes used the toilets
However, the students were seen on Friday morning roaming the streets of Asaba with their school uniforms as academic activities have been distrupted.
Students from Asaba Mixed Secondary school, West End Secondary school, Zappa Basic, among others said that they were asked to go home for two weeks in order to their Classrooms to be used as accommodation for the athletes.
“We came to school this morning, the schools authorities asked us to go home for two weeks.
“They said that our classrooms will be used as hostels during the festival, We just finished our test and supposed to start our exam in weeks time, but unfortunately teaching and examination cannot longer hold” they said.
The State Commissioner for Secondary Education, Mrs Rose Ezewu who confirmed the closure of school said “Few public schools in Asaba were closed because they would be used for camping of athletes for the National Sports Festival.
