The Delta State Government has discovered 8,141 ghost students in the state’s Students Assistance (Bursary) Scheme. The discovery was made after the verification and biometric exercise of students in the scheme.
The verification and biometric exercise of students of the State origin under the scheme was ordered by Ifeayin Okowa when he assumed duty as governor of the state.
The verification exercise has brought down the number of beneficiaries to 31,859 from over 40,000, Patrick Ukah, Jude Sinebe and Elijah Ologe, the State Commissioners for Information, Higher Education and the Executive Secretary, Scholarship Board, respectively, told newsmen during a briefing on Tuesday after the State Executive Council Meeting at Government House, Asaba.
The Commissioners also disclosed that The state has approved N400 million for the payment of 2013/2014 bursary award to 31,859 who have been verified and confirmed as students of the state origin in higher institutions and are on the list of the Scholarship Board.
They added that the state government would blacklist students and institutions involved in sharp practices and shady deals in the scheme.
