NSCDC, JAMB to Check Illegal CBT in Akwa Ibom

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has agreed to partner Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) in Akwa Ibom State to ensure that no illegal Computer Base Test (CBT) centre is allowed to operate in the state.

The state Commandant of the Corps, Mr. Adeyinka Ayinla, disclosed this when he paid courtesy visit on the state Coordinator of JAMB, Mr. Oboh Joseph, in Uyo, the state capital, on Monday.

Ayinla said intelligence reports had revealed that some CBT centres charged candidates more than the N4,000 registration fee stipulated by JAMB.

He assured candidates that the NSCDC would collaborate with JAMB to ensure that candidates are not unduly shortchanged.

According to him, "The issue of extortion of JAMB candidates is becoming too rampant in the country. JAMB is collecting N4,000 for form but some organisations will charge candidates N6,000, so this has to stop.

"We must enforced compliance that candidates pay only N4,000 as stipulated by JAMB. All illegal CBT centres must stop this act.

"All these touts and illegal CBT centres in the state must be closed immediately. We don't want such to continue. We will be going round CBT centres to enforce compliance.

"We have to be on surveillance, however, you may not identify us because we may not put on this uniform. Everyday, sadly, will have been getting different reports.

"The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, under the leadership of the Commandant-General, is ready to partner you to enforce compliance."

In his remarks, the State Coordinator of JAMB, Joseph, commended the NSCDC for its doggedness, resilience and commitment to maintaining the image of the Corps.

He said personnel posted to work with him in JAMB office have shown competence worthy of commendation.

Joseph confirmed that some CBT centres were actually charging above JAMB stipulated registration fee of N4000, stressing that the Board was doing everything possible to ensure that candidates were not being over charged.

"I know you (Corps) are equal to the tasks. So since you are here, I don't have any fear anymore.

"All those that are out to cheat candidates would not be acceptable by us.

"It is based on this that the JAMB Registrar stated that we relate with the agency that has the cognate experience-which is Civil Defence-to be our partner. We have tried you people before, and you have proven to be tested and trusted.

"You have the corporate image, and we wish you to sustain it," Joseph said.

The state coordinator disclosed that only 13 approved CBT centres are in the state, stressing that the number was grossly inadequate for the state.

Joseph advised that the state government create more CBT centres to accommodate the candidates applying for JAMB in the state.

According to him, it is not the best for candidates in the state to register but asked to write the examination outside the state due to inadequate centres.

"We have 13 approved CBT registration centres in Akwa Ibom State.

"The CBT centres in the state are grossly inadequate because we have discovered that after registration, some candidates might be posted to another state to write the examination.

"The state government can come up and create more centres. Like Ibom E-Library, they should create up to three centres there,” he stated.