The Jigawa State Government has terminated the services of several school contractors and kitchen supervisors over alleged irregularities in the state’s school feeding programme.

This was disclosed in a statement issued by the office of the Commissioner for Humanitarian Services, Hon. Awwalu D. Sankara, indicting the affected individuals for alleged fraud involving the diversion of food meant for students and hospital patients.

According to the statement, the government expressed concern over reported cases of misconduct and fraudulent practices by some school and hospital food suppliers, warning that strict measures would be implemented to track offenders and ensure prosecution.

“The Jigawa State Government has taken firm action against corruption in its feeding programme. All culprits will face the full weight of the law, as the government will not condone cheating or breach of trust,” the statement read.

The action followed surprise inspections carried out by the commissioner across schools and health facilities in Kazaure, Roni, Gwiwa, and Yankwashi Local Government Areas.

Sankara noted discrepancies between reported and actual student populations in some schools.

“In some schools, the number of students being reported was far higher than those actually present,” he said.

“At Government Junior Secondary School, Karkarna in Yankwashi, only 123 students were physically present, despite records indicating 257.”

He added that similar discrepancies were discovered in other locations, raising concerns that funds allocated for feeding programmes were being diverted.

Inspectors also received complaints about the quality of food supplied. In some cases, contractors reportedly provided substandard rice and failed to meet the required feeding standards.

Following the findings, the ministry dismissed four kitchen supervisors for allegedly falsifying records, while two contractors were removed for supplying substandard food. Another contractor at Gwiwa Hospital was also dismissed for skipping meals and failing to meet required standards.

Meanwhile, two school officials are under investigation for allegedly collaborating to manipulate records at the Government Girls Science Secondary School in Roni.

Sankara stressed that the government would not tolerate any act that deprives students and patients of their entitlements.

He assured residents that the state would continue unannounced inspections to ensure the feeding programme achieves its intended objectives. (The Guardian)