Delta State Ministry of Health has begun refunding money extorted from students in authorized study fees in the state’s Colleges of Nursing Asaba and Sapele.

The state Commissioner for Health, Dr Joseph Onojaeme, who monitored the refund exercise on Wednesday at the state College of Nursing, Asaba, disclosed that the extortion involved the schools’ Department of Nursing.

Onojaeme explained that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori “approved immediate refund of all unauthorized levies charged students of the state Colleges of Nursing Asaba and Sapele,” in response to the students’ complaints.

The commissioner averred that the governor condemned such illegal levies outside statutorily approved payments and ordered immediate refunds to the affected students.

He said, “162 students were affected; 152 from the College of Nursing, Asaba comprising Years 1, 2, 3 and PTS Classes; while 10 students were affected in the College of Nursing, Sapele.”

President of the Student Union Government, College of Nursing, Asaba, Oghenekevwe Asakpa, commended the governor for giving listening ears and responding swiftly to their petition against the illegal levies.