The Federal Ministry of Education on Monday said the actual cost of building a block of eight VIP toilets in the riverine areas was N6m, not N50m, while six toilets in upland areas cost N4m, not N40m.
The Ministry’s Deputy Director, Press, Ben Bem Goong made the clarification in a statement, noting that the N50m and N40m quoted as costs in a recent report was for three projects depending on location which included “VIP toilets and bathrooms in hostels and classroom areas, provision of modern kitchen and renovation of dining halls and borehole and reticulation of water.”
He expressed displeasure at the rumor, saying it is wrong to pick one item and give it the cost of three projects.
He explained further that it was an ongoing project across 104 unity schools and government would continue to roll it over until all the schools benefit.
“It is not a repetition of the same project in the 2014 and 2015 budgets, rather the same project is being replicated in different schools,” he said.
He said a VIP toilet means pit toilet with improved ventilation, incorporating features to enhance sanitation and health, and not luxury toilets.
