From Ndubuisi Orji, Abuja
A member of the House of Representatives from Benue State, Terseer Ugbor has demanded for transparency in the disbursement of students loans to beneficiaries.
Ugbor, who was former chairman of the House Ad-hoc Committee, on Students Loans, cautioned
the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) against politicizing the programme, which is meant to cater for indigent students in public tertiary institutions.
The lawmaker, while speaking with journalists, during a visit to his constituency office, in Benue State, said NELFUND must be wary politicizing the management of the scheme, including the recruitment of staff and selection of vendors.
The lawmaker noted that he was yet ascertain the number of beneficiaries from Benue State as there are no public records of actual loans so far disbursed. He added that there are also no public records on duration of the loans, repayment plans, number of participating institutions and the insurance policy covering these loans.
Ugbor, who stated the Students Loans Scheme is one of the legacy programmes of the President Bola Tinubu administration, queried how the loans are disbursed without a credit life insurance and health insurance for the students. He wondered how the loans will be recovered in the event of death, disability or default.