ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- The Federal Government of Nigeria has taken step of indefinitely suspending the N-Power programme, according to Betta Edu, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
Edu disclosed this development during a televised interview on Saturday, citing irregularities within the program as the primary reason for this decision.
Recall that N-Power Programme was launched by the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari to address the issue of youth unemployment and help increase social development.
The government has also launched a comprehensive investigation into the allocation and utilization of funds throughout the program’s existence.
The Minister highlighted concerns regarding certain beneficiaries who were not fulfilling their assigned duties while still expecting to receive their monthly stipends.
READ ALSO: FG To Rejig N-Power, Pay Beneficiaries – Poverty Alleviation Minister
She further revealed that a number of beneficiaries were meant to have exited the program as of 2022 but continue to draw salaries from it.
These revelations have raised significant questions about the integrity and effectiveness of the N-Power initiative, prompting the government to take this decisive action.
The suspension of the N-Power program will undoubtedly impact the lives of many beneficiaries who rely on its support, but the government’s commitment to rectifying the programmer’s shortcomings through a thorough investigation signals a dedication to accountability and the responsible use of public funds.
She said: “We must go back to look into N-Power and understand what the problems are so we will basically suspend the programe for now until we are done with proper investigation into the utilization of fund into the N-Power program.
READ ALSO: PHOTOS: ICPC Releases Singer D’banj On Self-recognition Over N-Power Fraud Charges
“We want to know how many persons are basically on the program right now, how many persons are owed, amount they are owed. We are totally restructuring the N-Power and expanding it.
“There are lots going on. We met people who are supposed to have exited the program since last year and they are still on claiming that they are still teaching.
“Sometimes we contact the school or the places where they are working and they are not there. They are not working yet they keep claiming that they are being owed eight or nine months stipends.
“About 80 percent of them are not working yet they are claiming salaries”.