Executive Chairman of the Delta State Universal Basic Education Board (D-SUBEB), Hon. Samuel Mariere, has refuted the recent corruption allegations targeted at him and members of the Board.
Mariere at a press briefing on Thursday, August 21, 2025, at Asaba, described the allegations as “false, malicious, and baseless”.
He said the allegations that contractors were coerced into paying between ₦100,000 and ₦300,000 through staff of the Planning, Research and Statistics Department, were acts of mischief makers aimed at discrediting his personality and leadership.
“At no time have I, or any member of the Board’s leadership, demanded or received gratuities, kickbacks, or any form of payment from contractors, vendors, or partners doing business with D-SUBEB.
“Our operations follow a zero-tolerance policy for corruption, consistent with the Delta State Government’s accountability drive and UBEC guidelines,” he declared.
To reinforce transparency, D-SUBEB convened an emergency contractors’ meeting on August 19, where multiple contractors reportedly confirmed on record that neither the Executive Chairman nor Board officials ever requested or received illicit payments for contract awards, certification, or disbursement.
“Contrary to the smear campaign, contractors have not raised complaints, officially or unofficially. They publicly expressed satisfaction with our processes,” Mariere added.
Highlighting the Board’s safeguards, Mariere said D-SUBEB’s procurement system strictly adheres to the Federal Procurement Law, with due diligence, competitive bidding, and formal awards documented.
Internal audits, financial controls, and inspection visits, he noted, show consistent adherence to accountability, even as gaps in areas like late retirements and reconciliations are being addressed.
“We welcome UBEC, civil society, oversight bodies, and the media to independently verify our records, inspection logs, and payments. Sunlight is our policy,” Mariere stated.
Beyond addressing the allegations, the D-SUBEB Chairman presented what he called “verifiable evidence of performance,” captured in the Board’s Quarterly Progress Report (June–August 2025) submitted to UBEC. Key achievements include:
Infrastructure: 162 new classrooms built, 491 renovated; 22 perimeter walls and 164 VIP toilets constructed; 5 solar-powered boreholes installed.
Teaching & Learning: 5,511 teachers trained across 10 programmes; 167,707 textbooks and over 1,800 digital devices distributed.
Access & Inclusion: 821,827 pupils enrolled statewide, with 507,050 directly benefiting from interventions; over 2,000 out-of-school children re-enrolled.
Community Engagement: 800 School-Based Management Committees inaugurated; partnerships with PTAs, traditional rulers, and youth groups strengthened.
Special Programmes: Inclusive education aids distributed; Delta pupils shone at the World Basic School Debate Championship, with five student-delegates recognized with ₦20 million each.
Looking ahead, Mariere said D-SUBEB will deepen e-procurement, strengthen teacher supply in critical subjects, expand rural logistics (including boats for riverine schools), and complete ongoing SMART School facilities to push digital learning statewide.
Mariere insisted that distractions will not derail the Board’s mandate:
“Ninety percent of approved projects have been completed; all contractors have been duly paid. No illicit payments were demanded or received. Our processes remain open to audit at any time. We are focused on classrooms, teachers, textbooks, safety, and delivering results for Delta’s children.”