Paucity of Funds Threatens Rivers’ Foreign Scholarship Scheme

Port Harcourt — THE Rivers State governor’s overseas scholarship programmme is being threatened by paucity of funds. Consequently, there won’t be the annual scholarship test and interview exercise for the award of new scholarships into the programme for the 2014/2015 session.

The scholarship programme, which was introduced by the Governor Chibuike Amaechi’s administration in 2008, according to the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA), suffered a major setback in 2013 due to funding challenge it has continued to face.

Executive director of RSSDA, Mr. Noble Pepple in the 2013 annual report made available to The Guardian, explained that out of the N10b budget allocated to the agency for 2013, only the sun of N4b was received by the end of the year. He, however, revealed that additional N2b was later released to the agency this year.

“Invariably we were unable to meet our financial obligations to our scholars and their universities overseas in a timely manner, and this greatly impacted on our relationship with the institutions, and the focus of our scholars on their studies. In some cases, our scholars were under threat of expulsion from their schools and residences and, in the worst cases, deportation from their host countries,” said Pepple.

He revealed that by the end of 2013, the state had incurred N4b as accumulated debts owed to universities overseas, scholarship implementing agents, local vendors and service providers. Due to this, he said the agency is unable to conduct the annual scholarship test and interview exercise for the award of new scholarships for the 2014/2015 session.

The governor’s special overseas scholarship programme, which has gulped about N23.7b since its inception in 2008, was set up with the sole motive of securing and strengthening the future of youths of the state by empowering them through quality education.

By the end of 2013, 1,962 students had been awarded scholarships for undergraduates and postgraduate studies in universities abroad according to the RSSDA annual report. While some students have completed their studies, others are at various stages of completion.

The agency observed that the level and timing of funding has continued to be a challenge in the last two years, and with the growing popularity of the programme, the agency needs adequate funding to maintain its commitment to the programme.

The report further stated that due to the lack of funds, the agency managed to save nearly N99 million by negotiating better airfares, fee rebates and, in some countries, reviewing or eliminating the services of consultants.

The report revealed that in 2013, 312 students comprising of 238 undergraduates and 74 postgraduates were awarded scholarships to study overseas. And following consultations with the state’s Ministry of Health, decision was taken to contribute to the development of medical and health professions to support the effort to address skill gaps in the sector.

Based on this, the agency said higher consideration was given to medical students applying to study at postgraduate level. Of the 74 postgraduate awards for 2013, scholars in medical and health sciences took up to 20 slots.

RSSDA said it has also established opportunities for students to study medicine at universities in the Caribbean and the Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic to accommodate the additional placement for medical students.

The report added that Urban and Regional Development was also added to the portfolio of overseas courses for which scholarships are awarded at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. It said this became imperative in order to accommodate the rising and urgent need for qualified professionals in that field, as well as provide support for the new Greater Port Harcourt City project.

Source: AllAfrica

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