Why I stopped payment of WAEC fees- Wada

Gov. Idris Wada of Kogi has said that corruption is the main reason that the state government stopped the payment of West African Examination Council fees for students in the state.

The governor, who spoke in Lokoja on Monday at a meeting with political appointees, alleged that some dubious and corrupt officials hijacked the project to enrich themselves and their cronies.

He said the officials inflated the fees from N270 million in 2012 when he assumed office to N500 million in 2015, pointing out that the resources of the state could not carry the burden.

Wada said that government would not hesitate to refund parents who presented evidence of payment of the fees for their wards.

"I am convinced that the figure they are giving us was inflated and we cannot be throwing money away because we have a lot of developmental projects to execute.

"It is unfortunate that people we entrusted turned around to manipulate instead of sere the people, we have looked into it and we are taking a major step to correct this sinful act," he said..