Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board ( JAMB ) has suspended nine of its more than 700 Computer-Based Test centres for breaching the code governing the 2019 registration exercise.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has suspended the University of Benin’s information communication technology (ICT) Computer Based Test (CBT) centre and several others from taking part in the ongoing registration exercise over allegations bordering on their engagement in illegal activities.
The affected centres include the Mardakem Company Ltd., Methodist Boys High School, College Road, beside Maritime Academy, Oron, Akwa-Ibom state; Bintels Global Services LTD. (Centre for Computer Education), Fr. Joseph Memorial High Sch. Aguleri, Anambra State; Noble & Shuaib ICT Ltd, Girls Secondary School, Alor, Anambra State; and Global ICT Connect Ltd, Km 5, Gboko Rd, Opp College of Health Sciences, Benue State University, Makurdi., among others.
JAMB disclosed this in Volume 1, Number 4 of its JAMBulletin – a weekly publication of the office of its Registrar, Ishaq Oloyede.
Meanwhile, the examination body said it suspended the nine CBT centres for engaging in unauthorised use of registration SIM in a manner it claimed is inimical to candidates’ interest; as well as charging candidates higher than the authorised fee and for engaging in mobile registration.
Other centres suspended are DA Civic Centre, 79 Airport Road by Benoni Junction, Benin city, Edo State; University Of Benin International ICT Centre, Iyayi Computer Building, Benin City, Edo State; Medes ICT Centre, Govt. Technical College, Idepe, Okitipupa, Ondo State; Divine Success All CBT Centre, Km1, Along Iseyin Ibadan Express Way Iseyin, Oyo State; and Riyom ICT Centre, former Riyom Local Govt Secretariat, Riyom, Plateau State.
JAMB said; during a meeting with CBT operators in Lagos, the board spelt out the cost for each service for the UTME, from the cost of obtaining the e-pins as reduced by the Federal Government to the cost of the reading texts and charges for registering candidates.
“Before commencing the 2019 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) and Direct Entry (DE) registration exercise, the Board had convened a meeting of all CBT operators in Lagos, where the guidelines on the exercise was deliberated and laid out for all to adhere to strictly. Earlier, the Board reiterated the directive of the Federal Government for the 2019 e-pins to be sold at N3,500, excluding the cost of the reading text, to ensure absolute compliance. The meeting had also resolved that the cost of registration should not exceed N700. Candidates were also to be guided properly on the assistance is required, without collecting any dime from them.
“Unfortunately, findings from the Board’s monitoring exercise, revealed that some centres were charging higher than the stipulated figure directed by the Federal Government and equally agreed on at the Lagos meeting for other charges. The Board finds this very disappointing and has therefore suspended such centres caught in this unholy act from the 2019 exercise.”
JAMB also added that the board is monitoring the activities of 10 more centres in Lagos and Plateau states, noting that appropriate action would be taken against them once investigation is concluded.