Rep. Dekeri argued part of the money saved from fuel subsidy removal could be used to cover the WAEC and other examinations of students as a form of palliative.
The House of Representatives stepped down a motion calling on the federal government to assist students with the cost of secondary school examinations in 2023/2024 to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal.
The motion on the “Need to Compel JAMB, WAEC, and NECO Examination Bodies to Register Students for Free in the 2023-2024 Examination Exercise” was sponsored by Rep. Anamero Dekeri (APC, Edo) on Wednesday.
Dekeri noted the need to assist low-income families with the education of their wards, particularly in the payment of examination fees using the revenue retained from subsidy removal.
He said the sum saved from subsidy removal could be used to cover the examinations of students as a form of palliative to citizens affected by fuel subsidy removal.
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He prayed the House to urge the Ministry of Education to declare 2023/2024 WAEC, NECO, and JAMB examinations registration free as a way to support poor citizens affected by fuel subsidy removal and the harsh inflationary rate in the country.
“With the cooperation of the masses, the federal government was able to deliver Nigerians from a few individuals that took the nation’s economy hostage through a fuel subsidy payment conduit pipe that has plundered this country’s economy for too long.”
He urged the Minister of Finance, Budget, Economic, and National Planning to come up with a robust framework that will give the poor masses a sense of belonging in Nigeria.
Contributing to the motion, Rep. Julius Ihonvbere (APC, Edo) proposed an amendment that members adopt at least one school in their constituency and pay the fees.
“We should lead by example. Members of the house should directed to pay for secondary school examinations for students in their constituency. Each lawmaker should pay for at least one school,” he said.
However, the amendment was rejected by Rep. Alhassan Ado Doguwa (APC, Kano), who noted that some lawmakers are already paying the examination fees of constituents.
The amendment was rejected when it was put to vote by the Speaker of the House, Abbas Tajudeen.
Following, Morruf Afuape (APC, Ogun) moved an amendment that the benefit should be for only Public schools.
But Rep. Awaji-Inombek Abiante (PDP, Rivers) countered it as he stated that making the motion exclusive to public schools is discriminatory and against the Constitution.
On this ground, he moved for the entire motion, and all amendments to be stepped down.
The motion to drop Dekeri’s motion and the proposed amendments was adopted following a voice vote by the House.
