Why we suspended N-Power programme – FG
The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation Mrs Betta Edu, has explained that the federal government suspended the N-Power programme to enable it carry out a thorough audit of the programme.
The programme was launched by the former President Muhammadu Buhari to address rising youth unemployment in the country.
In a statement made available to journalists, National Programme Manager, N-Power for Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Dr. Akindele Egbuwalo, said the audit became necessary following abuse by some beneficiaries of the programme.
She said, “This action has become necessary to give room for a detailed investigation into the operations of the N-Power in the last twelve months. The total number of persons on enrolled on NPOWER since inception to date is 960,000 people. Most of them have exited from NPower 1.0 and NPower 2.0
“There is a need to audit the number of people in the programme, those who have exited the program, those who are being owed, whether the reported to work or not and how funds have been utilised over this period of time.
“Recently, we discovered instances of programme beneficiaries whose participation has lapsed since 2022 but have remained on and continue to expect payments from the government. In addition, some beneficiaries must honour their obligation to the programme: They do not report to their places of primary assignments as required but still receive monthly payments.”
The minister condemned the situation where beneficiaries were been owed by consultants assuring that those involved would be prosecuted and the monies retrieved from them.
“We appeal to Nigerians to understand the rationale behind the temporary suspension and investigation of the programme as we work to restore the nation’s confidence in the programme and for the new N-Power to serve Nigerians better. Things have to be properly done for us to move forward,” she said.
According to her, the restructuring will be expanded to reach beneficiaries aged 18-40 (the previous age limit was 35) saying that about 5 million beneficiaries are being targeted in 5 years at a pace of 1 million per year under the graduate and non-graduate stream.
“In addition, the restructuring will accommodate some new programmes, in Education, Health, Works, Agriculture, Technology, fashion, entertainment and other relevant areas of skill acquisition and employability.
“To earn the confidence of Nigerians in the expanded programme, transparency and accountability will be the benchmark. It shall no longer be business as usual as we make concerted efforts to put the nation on the right footing, ensuring that no one directly or indirectly unleashes suffering on Nigerians,” she added.
The minister assured that all beneficiaries with genuine claims that their cases will be resolved once the verification exercise is completed saying that “nobody will be owed.”
