The West Africa Examinations Council (WAEC) has threatened to withhold the results of students in 19 states that sat for the May/June 2015 WASSCE over nonpayment of candidates’ registration fees by their state governments.

Speaking at its national office Yaba, some hours ago, the Head of National Office (HNO), Mr. Charles Eguridu, said: “The affected states should off-set the registration fees of their candidates as soon as possible, as we cannot guarantee that the results of their candidates for the May/June 2015 WASSCE will be released alongside others.”

Eguridu said that a total number of 19 states in the country owe the Council in respect of entry fees for states government sponsored candidates for the May/June 2015 WASSCE noting that some states also still owe the Councils registration fees for the May/June 2014 WASSCE. According to him, the 19 states which are indebted to the tune of N4 billion were not making efforts to pay adding that efforts made by the Councils to get the money from them proved abortive, hence WAEC has resolved to make it public.

Eguridu, who declined to mentioned names of the indebted states, said he is giving them benefit of the doubt, stressing that many of the governors have just assumed office. He however urged the indebted states to pay up within the next two weeks. His words: “Many of the states of the federation, as part of their education policy, pay the registration fees of candidates for the WASSCE, particularly in the public schools.

“This is quite commendable as it afforded many indigent students the opportunity to sit our examinations and relieved many poor parents of this financial burden. As I speak to you now, we are cash-strapped as a result of the delay in off-setting the registration fees owed the Council by some states. As a result, we are finding it difficult in meeting our financial obligations, particularly to our supervisors, examiners and service providers.

“We have written to the affected states governments without any response. The poor response is threatening the smooth operations of the Council.” (Vanguard)

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