By Priscilla Christopher-Akpanettot
The Akwa Ibom State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) has provided a free telephone line where members of the public can report cases of fraud, extortion and other dishonest practices involving the Board.
The Board has also warned people hoping to get jobs in its planned recruitment of 2,000 teachers not to give money to anyone promising to help them secure employment.
The SUBEB Chairman, Anietie Etuk, announced this while introducing the toll-free number 08000078232, which people can call to report suspicious activities and seek help.
He explained that getting a job with SUBEB is completely free and that nobody is expected to pay money to secure employment.
He therefore advised applicants to be careful of people who may approach them with promises of helping them get jobs in exchange for money.
The Chairman also said the free telephone line would help protect retired teachers from people who demand money before helping them process their retirement benefits, known as gratuities.
He revealed that the Board had discovered some people engaging in dishonest activities and that investigations were already ongoing. He added that steps were being taken to prevent such incidents from happening again.
As part of these efforts, the processing of retired teachers' gratuities has been moved to the office of the SUBEB Chairman to ensure closer supervision and reduce the chances of fraud.
Etuk encouraged retired teachers and members of the public to report anyone demanding illegal payments through the toll-free number.
He also disclosed that Governor Umo Eno had paid about ₦18.5 billion in outstanding gratuities owed to retired teachers from previous administrations.
According to him, the government is also preparing to begin paying pensions to teachers who retired in 2015, having already paid those who retired up to 2014.
He said it was important to protect the money meant for retired teachers from fraudsters who might want to cheat them out of their benefits.
Reacting to the announcement, the Chairman of the Akwa Ibom State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Nsibiet John, commended SUBEB for introducing the toll-free line.
He said the initiative would help people report wrongdoing without fear and improve public confidence in the Board.
John advised SUBEB to take the awareness campaign to churches and rural communities so that retired teachers and other residents, especially those who may not have access to regular information, would know about the free telephone line.
He also assured the Board that journalists would help publicise the number and educate the public on the need to avoid paying money to anyone promising jobs or assistance with gratuity payments.
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